NAMIBIA: Media should help fight crime, urges Minister

Speaking on the second day of the first annual National Conference on Crime Prevention and Safety, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the media and Police needed to strategise on ways to educate women to prevent them from becoming the "next victim of a horrific murderer".

"All indications are that the country has to do with its first serial killer and unfortunately, it is helpless and often socio-economically marginalised women who fall victim to this monster," the Minister said.

"Is there a need to publish the basic principles of self-defence? Should women of the night be advised to carry protective devices such as pepper guns, knives, or alarm devices? Only the Police can answer these questions and only the media have the power to take that message out to would-be victims of crime," she said.

"In our attempt to stop this monster from claiming more innocent lives, throwing families, friends and the nation into mourning and continuing to leave a bloody trail, the Police and the media should continuously educate our people to protect them and also agree on strategies to report crime," she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah had been asked to speak on the role the media should play in combating crime.

She referred to various examples worldwide where the media had been instrumental in uncovering criminal acts, most notably the Watergate scandal in the USA and various criminals who have reportedly been arested in South African thanks to the television show 'Police File'.

"Criminals can hide from the Police, but they cannot hide from the communities in which they live," she said, stressing community involvement in crime prevention.

She credited the Namibian media for the part they have played in bringing to light financial scandals such as those at the Social Security Commission (SSC) and the Namibia Development Corporation (NDC).

These, she said, were "excellent examples" of the media playing a watchdog role, and she encouraged newspapers, television and radio to continue fulfilling this role.

However, she warned against "some sections of the media", which she said were so sensational and subjective in their reporting that criminals are often elevated to celebrity status, while investors and potential tourists are scared off.

The conference, which is being attended by members from all over SADC, ends today.

It is being hosted by the Centre for Training and Projects Development.