NBC succeeds in appeal to ombudsman
No evidence of censorship
The Ovambanderu Traditional Council alleged that NBC radio presenters were censored by being told not to use the traditional title 'ombara otjitambi' for its leader, Aletha Nguvauva.
The media ombudsman’s appeals committee this month granted an appeal by the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in an issue about the use of traditional titles during broadcasts.
The dispute was between the NBC and the Ovambanderu Traditional Council (OTC) and stems from an incident that took place in 2020.
The OTC alleged that NBC radio presenters were censored by being told not to use the traditional title ‘ombara otjitambi’ for the OTC's leader, Aletha Nguvauva. The OTC brought this issue to the ombudsman's attention in December 2020, claiming that NBC's behaviour infringes on its right to freedom of expression.
The NBC argued that it followed its internal style guide and editorial policies to maintain consistency and accuracy in its broadcasts.
After a committee ruled in favour of the OTC, the NBC appealed the verdict and the appeal application was heard in June 2023. The appeal committee delivered its verdict on 19 June this year and the NBC's appeal application was successful.
No evidence
The chairman of the appeal committee that heard the case, André le Roux, and two panel members, Ernst Venzke and Hesron Kapanga, found that the NBC was not obliged to use the title ‘ombara otjitambi’ for Nguvauva.
“A traditional authority can exist and its members can address their leaders by any title they prefer. However, it is not obligatory for others to address such leaders with these titles. If NBC's style guide and editorial policies comply with Namibian laws, they can guide NBC employees' actions and decisions," the ruling read.
The committee further pointed out that no physical evidence, such as written instructions or recordings, had been submitted to confirm the allegations of censorship.
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The dispute was between the NBC and the Ovambanderu Traditional Council (OTC) and stems from an incident that took place in 2020.
The OTC alleged that NBC radio presenters were censored by being told not to use the traditional title ‘ombara otjitambi’ for the OTC's leader, Aletha Nguvauva. The OTC brought this issue to the ombudsman's attention in December 2020, claiming that NBC's behaviour infringes on its right to freedom of expression.
The NBC argued that it followed its internal style guide and editorial policies to maintain consistency and accuracy in its broadcasts.
After a committee ruled in favour of the OTC, the NBC appealed the verdict and the appeal application was heard in June 2023. The appeal committee delivered its verdict on 19 June this year and the NBC's appeal application was successful.
No evidence
The chairman of the appeal committee that heard the case, André le Roux, and two panel members, Ernst Venzke and Hesron Kapanga, found that the NBC was not obliged to use the title ‘ombara otjitambi’ for Nguvauva.
“A traditional authority can exist and its members can address their leaders by any title they prefer. However, it is not obligatory for others to address such leaders with these titles. If NBC's style guide and editorial policies comply with Namibian laws, they can guide NBC employees' actions and decisions," the ruling read.
The committee further pointed out that no physical evidence, such as written instructions or recordings, had been submitted to confirm the allegations of censorship.
– [email protected]
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