EDITORIAL: Celebrating journalism excellence
The Editors’ Forum of Namibia (EFN) Journalism Awards are scheduled for this evening, and President Hage Geingob is confirmed to attend. A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy, a fact thankfully recognised by Geingob himself, and which we celebrate tonight in his endearing presence.
Press freedom is a scarce commodity that can only be found in places like Namibia, thanks primarily to our government that, despite its many shortcomings, has elected not to abuse its colossal powers to undermine the work of the press in the country.
And, speaking of scarcity, a head of state officiating a journalism awards ceremony is a sight rarely seen anywhere in the world. Being not a saint, as all of us, and because of the position and accountability he has towards all of us, Geingob has not had a smooth ride as far as scrutiny by the press is concerned. Sometimes he fights back in the form of rebuttals, but that’s as far as he has gone. The rest of the criticism he absorbs like any good statesman and democrat should.
And tonight, we will be seated under the same roof to celebrate our collective achievements as the fourth estate and the elected officials of the republic. The journalism excellence we will be celebrating tonight was birthed by the virtues we have jealously guarded for the past 33 years – including Geingob signing into law the Access to Information Act.
Press freedom is a scarce commodity that can only be found in places like Namibia, thanks primarily to our government that, despite its many shortcomings, has elected not to abuse its colossal powers to undermine the work of the press in the country.
And, speaking of scarcity, a head of state officiating a journalism awards ceremony is a sight rarely seen anywhere in the world. Being not a saint, as all of us, and because of the position and accountability he has towards all of us, Geingob has not had a smooth ride as far as scrutiny by the press is concerned. Sometimes he fights back in the form of rebuttals, but that’s as far as he has gone. The rest of the criticism he absorbs like any good statesman and democrat should.
And tonight, we will be seated under the same roof to celebrate our collective achievements as the fourth estate and the elected officials of the republic. The journalism excellence we will be celebrating tonight was birthed by the virtues we have jealously guarded for the past 33 years – including Geingob signing into law the Access to Information Act.
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Namibian Sun
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