Nampa dumps stringer over Fishrot debate
OGONE TLHAGE
The Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) has terminated the services of a Windhoek-based freelance reporter after he had participated in a panel discussion on One Africa TV about the Fishrot kickback scandal.
Vitalio Angula’s contract was terminated by the manager of editorial services, Jata Kazondu.
In a letter to Angula, Kazondu said Nampa’s editorial policy stance had been compromised by his appearance on Sunday’s broadcast, on which the fisheries bribery scandal was discussed.
“You have risked potentially compromising Nampa’s editorial policy stance and the agency’s reputation by taking part in a highly controversial nationally discussed show, which was aired on One Africa TV on 24 November, focusing on running a story called ‘Fishrot’,” the letter reads.
Angula had been informed that no requests to participate in public debates would be entertained, it states.
“Your participation in the show was without the prerequisite permission from the news editor or myself, which was a matter that was discussed extensively with you at the coming into force of your stringer contract. I have previously warned you several times not to take part in such or similar discussions because of your attachment to the Namibia Press Agency,” Kazondu wrote.
Angula was further informed that his access to the Nampa building and its computers had been revoked.
“Please return to my office all equipment, media cards, election coverage passes and so forth that you may have been given or received because of your association with Nampa,” Kazondu wrote.
On the show, hosted by Erica Gebhard, Angula said he had a problem with an Icelandic fishing company executive saying Africans were corruptible.
Angula further accused Spanish fishing companies of illegally fishing in African waters, particularly those of Western Sahara.
The Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) has terminated the services of a Windhoek-based freelance reporter after he had participated in a panel discussion on One Africa TV about the Fishrot kickback scandal.
Vitalio Angula’s contract was terminated by the manager of editorial services, Jata Kazondu.
In a letter to Angula, Kazondu said Nampa’s editorial policy stance had been compromised by his appearance on Sunday’s broadcast, on which the fisheries bribery scandal was discussed.
“You have risked potentially compromising Nampa’s editorial policy stance and the agency’s reputation by taking part in a highly controversial nationally discussed show, which was aired on One Africa TV on 24 November, focusing on running a story called ‘Fishrot’,” the letter reads.
Angula had been informed that no requests to participate in public debates would be entertained, it states.
“Your participation in the show was without the prerequisite permission from the news editor or myself, which was a matter that was discussed extensively with you at the coming into force of your stringer contract. I have previously warned you several times not to take part in such or similar discussions because of your attachment to the Namibia Press Agency,” Kazondu wrote.
Angula was further informed that his access to the Nampa building and its computers had been revoked.
“Please return to my office all equipment, media cards, election coverage passes and so forth that you may have been given or received because of your association with Nampa,” Kazondu wrote.
On the show, hosted by Erica Gebhard, Angula said he had a problem with an Icelandic fishing company executive saying Africans were corruptible.
Angula further accused Spanish fishing companies of illegally fishing in African waters, particularly those of Western Sahara.
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