Media statement of the Namibia Editors’ Forum (NEF)

4 December 2007

The Namibia Editors’ Forum (NEF), takes note of Resolution 29 under the heading of “Nation Building” passed by the 4th Swapo Congress recently.

The Congress directs the Government, inter alia, “to establish a Media Council to regulate the activities and operations of the media in this country”.

The NEF welcomes the interest the Party Congress takes in national media matters and is pleased to note that the Congress subscribes to “upholding freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Namibian Constitution”.

The NEF however rejects the blanket perception that activities of electronic and print media in “recent developments” reflect “specifically misuse of the media contrary to national reconciliation and maintenance of peace and stability”.

The Congress has failed to define specifically what national reconciliation is, and has failed to provide the Namibian media with any concrete example of how any news medium has supposedly endangered “peace and stability”.

The Namibia Editors’ Forum has taken note of a general appeal from various quarters to consider the establishment of a media council.

This is a lengthy and ongoing process which requires thorough and professional media consultation within the context of the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia and the democratic frame of reference of Namibian society; the SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sport; the African Commission’s Declaration of Principles on Free Expression in Africa (AC Declaration) and the SADC Declaration on Information and Communication Technology (ICT Declaration).

The deliberations on the proposed Media Council will continue to take their course. But the Namibia Editors’ Forum remains absolutely opposed to any Government-imposed initiative and would reject any attempt in this regard.

The NEF, a recently-constituted body, emphasises that its doors remain open to meet with any individuals, groups or organisations concerned with matters relating to the maintenance of press freedom and free speech in Namibia in keeping with such Constitutional guarantees.

The Chairperson
Eberhard Hofmann
NEF Executive Committee