Annelien Van Wyk
7 May 2008
opinion
Keetmanshoop — MISA Namibia launched its 14th edition of its annual publication, So This is Democracy on Saturday, May 3 in Keetmanshoop. The publication documents and comments on media freedom and freedom of expression violations recorded by MISA in 2007.
Jonathan Beukes, author of the So This is Democracy Namibian Chapter, who spoke at the launch, said the year 2007 was indeed a year of change in both the political landscape as well as in the media sector.
He further mentioned that the changing political landscape influenced the media to the extent that control of airwaves once again became a political hot potato. "In numerous attacks throughout the year, the media was labelled 'hostile, unhealthy and unpatriotic, eurocentric, divisive, reactionary and enemies of the state', by an array of ruling party office-bearers," he said. Beukes said that despite these and other challenges, the Namibian media sector remains vibrant, fluid and in general the media continues to inform the general public of their rights and expose those who embezzle public funds and abuse their positions.
The publication highlights hostile media, legislation, threatened democracy, online media, national broadcasting, diversity, and developments and challenges in Namibia during the year 2007.
It delivers an entertaining account and perspective on media violations and is indeed an excellent resource to students, educators and citizens. The publication was officially launched by the MISA Namibia Chairman Christoph Maletsky.
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