PDM drags NBC to media ombudsman
Broadcaster ‘favours Swapo’, Venaani says
"We are not going to allow the NBC to punish us by punishing Namibians by not reporting fairly," the PDM leader said.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has accused the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) of showing media bias to opposition political players and has lodged a complaint with the media ombudsman on the matter.
Speaking at a press conference this week, he said the broadcaster intentionally held back on reporting on the achievements of his party, adding that news of a donation it made in the Musese and Ndonga Linena constituencies – aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict – had not been reported on, despite covering the events two weeks ago.
"NBC was present at rallies at Musese and Ndonga Linena where we donated water pipes to 10 villages, but it did not air [the content even] two weeks later," Venaani said.
The broadcaster was effectively blocking media coverage, he added.
Punishing Namibians
"NBC is denying the political actors our role to play fairly in our republic. For that matter, we have submitted a full complaint to Mr [John] Nakuta, who is the media ombudsman, to really discuss the code of ethics of the NBC.
"We are not going to allow the NBC to punish us by punishing Namibians by not reporting fairly," he added.
Venaani accused the national broadcaster of favouring the Swapo Party to the point of playing the music of its official band, the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe, on its flagship radio station, National Radio.
Review
"What NBC does, without any shame, when Swapo is having a congress, when there are national days of commemoration, you guys [NBC] are playing Swapo songs, officially, not media paid for," he said.
The PDM leader urged NBC to review its media policy and follow international best practices.
"NBC must reform its media policy and modernise. When you look at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, NBC must reform and follow suit," he said.
The broadcaster's spokesperson, Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, did not respond to queries on the allegations.
Speaking at a press conference this week, he said the broadcaster intentionally held back on reporting on the achievements of his party, adding that news of a donation it made in the Musese and Ndonga Linena constituencies – aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict – had not been reported on, despite covering the events two weeks ago.
"NBC was present at rallies at Musese and Ndonga Linena where we donated water pipes to 10 villages, but it did not air [the content even] two weeks later," Venaani said.
The broadcaster was effectively blocking media coverage, he added.
Punishing Namibians
"NBC is denying the political actors our role to play fairly in our republic. For that matter, we have submitted a full complaint to Mr [John] Nakuta, who is the media ombudsman, to really discuss the code of ethics of the NBC.
"We are not going to allow the NBC to punish us by punishing Namibians by not reporting fairly," he added.
Venaani accused the national broadcaster of favouring the Swapo Party to the point of playing the music of its official band, the Ndilimani Cultural Troupe, on its flagship radio station, National Radio.
Review
"What NBC does, without any shame, when Swapo is having a congress, when there are national days of commemoration, you guys [NBC] are playing Swapo songs, officially, not media paid for," he said.
The PDM leader urged NBC to review its media policy and follow international best practices.
"NBC must reform its media policy and modernise. When you look at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, NBC must reform and follow suit," he said.
The broadcaster's spokesperson, Umbi Karuaihe-Upi, did not respond to queries on the allegations.
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