THE latest trending headlines from the constitution amendments to the tenderpreneurs to the exposés on various public figures in all the newspapers over the last couple of weeks have left me wondering about the calibre of journalism in this country.
I will start off by saying I am not a journalist neither do I aspire to be one however, I would like to offer a layman’s and hopefully an objective opinion about journalism in Namibia.
The reality of the situation is that the majority of these articles are founded on hearsay, no facts and too much personal opinion.
As a reader, I would like to be presented with evidence that has the highest degree of accuracy.
It is a common occurrence that newspapers have to print “corrections” or the press having to release statements to retract stories they had previously published. I’m well aware that perfection is not attainable but I’m even more aware that excellence is possible.
The reality is that excellent written journalism is not the rule in our country it is the exception. Understanding that we are a small nation and there is little we don’t know about each other, which has its own benefits, but that is a social phenomenon not something worthy of constant use for media sensationalism.
The journalism I would like to see and read is one where we criticise the work of our leaders, not constantly accuse them of things without facts which is rampant in the papers lately. It is okay to criticise leadership – without criticism, leaders will not be accountable, however we seem to confuse the aspect of criticising the work of our leaders with insulting them in their individual right.
There is a difference between having a personal opinion, criticising a person’s work and insulting a person; in my opinion our media houses seem to blur the lines more often than not.
Journalists have the daunting task of telling a story like it is, with all the facets of truth and fact but unfortunately the more common version of journalism in Namibia is one of hype and gossip.
Going back to basics in definitions, sensationalism is the use of exciting or shocking stories or language at the expense of accuracy to provoke public interest. Journalism minus the aspect of accuracy is not journalism at all and that form of writing belongs in the version of tabloid media.