State media 'preferred'New Era, NBC to enjoy advertising priority Concerns are expressed over a cabinet decision that suggests New Era and NBC will get the lion''s share of government information and advertising. A leaked internal memorandum to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) about a cabinet decision presumably taken in September has media practitioners worried that there is a secretive attempt by government to curtail information and advertising to private outlets.The memo, dated 26 September, sent by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development, Gabriel Sinimbo, indicated that a cabinet decision (decision number 16th/20.09.16/007) directed all government offices, ministries and agencies, including regional council and local authorities “to prioritise the dissemination of information and advertisement” through New Era and the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).
The minister of information and communication technology, Tjekera Tweya, confirmed the adoption of the resolution on 20 September but downplayed concerns.
“The rationale is to give preference to the public media, but not exclusivity (regarding government information and advertisement),” said Tweya.
Tweya further explained: “It is straightforward, like a woman with disability would get preference. The preference is given because the public media have the prime mandate to disseminate all government information which others might not deem necessary. If you live in an unequal society you must apply certain measures to disseminate information equally. Information is not for sale, but it is there to keep everyone informed.
“Do not read what is not there [in the resolution]. What it means is for the public media to execute its mandate.”
The chairperson of the Editors'' Forum of Namibia, Joseph Ailonga, said the resolution appears to be a “soft ban”, or an indirect advertising ban against the private media.
He said it would disadvantage many Namibians who get their information from the private media, adding that private media assist the government in job creation.
Ailonga also said this resolution went against the grain of the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP).
“Government seems to be confused about what HPP is supposed to be doing. It does not know if it should go right or left. Transparency is a huge pillar of HPP,” Ailonga said.
The chairperson of the Namibia Media Trust (MNT), Gwen Lister, expressed worry that the resolution was not communicated to the media.
“I always complain that cabinet resolutions communicated to the media have the stamp of secrecy all over it,” she commented.
Though information on the resolution is still sketchy, Lister cautiously ventured to say that it reminded her of the government advertising ban on The Namibian that was lifted some years ago.
Alternatively, she said, it smacked of an indirect way to prop up state media.
“This is not levelling the playing field,” Lister said.
Zoe Titus of the NMT added that the resolution was not in the spirit of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration promoting independent and pluralistic media, which the Namibian government is a signatory to.
“I think the resolution is very short-sighted and the authors thereof clearly did not consider the full implications thereof because it is not in the interest of pluralism in the media. Public funds should be distributed fairly across all media.”
Bail out?
Tweya dismissed sentiments that the resolution is to bolster financially strapped state media, saying it was purely to make sure that they delivered on their “prime mandate”, which is to disseminate information to all corners of the country.
The resolution would, however, significantly boost the financial situation of New Era and the NBC.
The mid-year budget review in 2016/17 for printing and advertising is almost N$126.13 million. This figure is nearly 4.4% less than finance minister Calle Schlettwein''s main budget of February.
The biggest cut is for the Ministry of Home Affairs. In February just over N$13 million was allocated, now cut by 38% to N$4.9 million.
The biggest print and advertising budget is for the Ministry of Health and Social Services, which was allocated N$26.17 million, followed by the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (N$15.7 million) and the Electoral Commission of Namibia (N$10.4 million).
CATHERINE SASMAN, JO-MARE DUDDY BOOYSEN