Adolf Kaure
SWAKOPMUND – Media practitioners and newsmakers have a role to play in strengthening communication in the Erongo region and, ultimately, serving the public more effectively.
This is according to Erongo Regional Council Chief Regional Officer, Sam Ntelamo, in a speech delivered on his behalf at the Erongo media stakeholder engagement conference in Swakopmund earlier this week.
The event, which was organised by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) Erongo regional office, provided an opportunity for journalists from the Erongo region to share their newsroom dynamics along with challenges when engaging with stakeholders.
“This engagement is built on a simple but powerful idea: strong societies depend on strong communication,” Ntelamo said.
Ntelamo continued: “Media organisations serve as a vital conduit, facilitating the essential connection between our institutions and the communities we serve. They function as a primary bridge, linking decision-makers with the citizenry.” According to Ntelamo, newsmakers representing the government, local municipalities, State-owned enterprises, and the private sector rely upon the media to articulate their narratives, elucidate complex policies, and provide transparent accounts of both progress and institutional challenges.
“At times, media houses contend with late invitations, incomplete press releases, or ambiguous story briefs. Conversely, stakeholders may experience disappointment when coverage is omitted, condensed, or delayed beyond expectations. It is important to recognise that these challenges rarely stem from a lack of goodwill. That is why we are here,” he added.
The conference enabled practical understanding to be built on how newsrooms operate, with topics ranging from story pitching to publication or broadcast, gatekeeping, editorial judgement, news values and deadlines. Technical realities of broadcast media, camera work, sound, lighting and location readiness were also discussed.
Also speaking at the gathering, former NBC TV and radio journalist Usi //Hoebeb emphasised the importance of strong and effective news values and internal editorial policies in newsrooms.
“They act as the critical, practical framework for ethical journalism, translating abstract principles into practical action. They must ensure accuracy and trustworthiness through rigorous fact-checking. They must maintain objectivity and fairness by providing guidelines on presenting information without personal bias,” he said.