Windhoek — The Board of Directors of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has expressed concern about the public's abuse of some of the national broadcaster's radio stations.

During its last meeting of 2007, the Board bemoaned the extent to which some members of the public used the phone-in programmes to take aim at one another. "The board appealed to the Namibian public from all walks of life to exercise maximum restraint in the process of interacting on the radio programmes," the NBC said in a statement.

It called on political leaders to use "maximum influence over their supporters" as they exercise their democratic rights. "Democracy and freedom of expression is for all Namibians. It will be a sad day if Namibians use the electronic media intentionally to cast aspersions on the integrity of others," said a statement signed by NBC Director General Bob Kandetu on behalf of the Board. The Board directed the management to continue managing NBC programmes in such a way that they were accessible to all Namibians and not misused by callers who intend to deride the integrity of others.

"The NBC management must activate all systems necessary to see to it that abusive callers do not carry the day on the NBC radio channels," it said. Last year the Government and the NBC announced that call-in programmes would be moderated by setting specific topics of discussion every day.The Namibian branch of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) came out strongly against the decision to censor call-in programmes on national radio, saying it was unhealthy for a growing democracy, as the call-in programmes had enormous value in allowing ordinary Namibians to raise issues of concern that might not otherwise have come to public attention.

Information Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the decision was aimed to stop abuse by callers. At the heart of the move were claims that some regular callers to the programmes showed a lack of respect for former President Sam Nujoma. "Let it be noted that public officials deserve less - not more - protection from public commentary than ordinary citizens.They have sought the notoriety involved in serving the common weal through public office.And as such, they are the servants of the public, not its masters," Misa Namibia said.The media group said democracy and economic prosperity were not possible without public accountability of leaders, transparency in their transactions and vigorous public discussion of issues and choices.

"This veiled attempt by the NBC management is therefore contemptuous and cannot be seen in any other light than the NBC heeding the call of its master," Misa Namibia said.

In last year's State of the Media Report, Misa pointed out that Namibia, which was once regarded as a pacesetter on media freedom, was increasingly seen to be lagging behind in several crucial areas.