By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK
The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, says she did not withdraw from a talk show that should have been hosted by NBC-TV on Monday, February 25, 2008.
She was responding to a Nampa story published by New Era on Tuesday, February 26, in which she was reported to have withdrawn from participating in the NBC-TV talk show “Talk of the Nation”, on the subject of the establishment of a media council in the country.
Although she received an invitation letter from the NBC, she did not confirm her participation, she said in a statement issued yesterday.
“When the invitation reached my desk, I directed the Director Media Affairs in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to inform NBC that as much as I am ready to discuss the matter with the public, the time has not come, as I will do so when I have a working document that allows me to seek the input of the public.
“Possibly not convinced, Ms Menesia Muinjo, General Manager Current Affairs phoned me on the matter and I communicated to her what has been said by the Director Media Affairs to NBC,” the minister’s statement reads.
The minister went on to assure that Government would establish a media council, explaining that the media has in any case been working on it, without success.
“I am aware of the sensitivity of the matter and as the Government has done in the past on other issues, wider consultations will take place before the council is established. Similarly, the Government will never do anything outside the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah, asking the public to be patient until she comes for input.
“However, should there be those who feel they have something to share with me on the subject matter, doors to my office are open. This invitation is also directed to media practitioners and professionals,” said Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah.