SWAKOMUND – Information minister Peya Mushelenga has urged the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to continue serving the nation at large with the highest standards of journalism and integrity.
He made this statement during the opening of the NBC Erongo regional offices in Swakopmund on Friday. The ceremony was witnessed by Botswana Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Thulagano Segokgo and his delegation who were on a reciprocal visit to Namibia from 15 to 19 November.
The NBC relocated its regional offices to the MTC Dome to accommodate all their regional staff members, and to serve the region from a more central location.
Mushelenga pointed to the critical role the NBC plays in society, stating that as a public broadcaster, it holds a prominent place in the media fraternity which involves responsible and accountable reporting.
He observed that fact-based journalism has been and continues to be the voice of Namibia, and the NBC, in this regard, plays a leading role in disseminating news and content for Namibians.
“The role of media in our societies is multi-faceted, serving as a primary conduit through which information is disseminated, facilitating an informed citizenry, and upholding the principles of democracy. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Therefore, it is imperative that public media organisations like the NBC adhere to the highest standards of journalistic integrity, remaining in the public interest in an era where information spreads rapidly through various channels,” he said.
The minister said the responsibility of the public media in shaping a well-informed and cohesive society cannot be ruled out, hence it is a duty that requires unwavering commitment, and an understanding of the profound impact the media can have on the course of the nation.
“We must always be vigilant in safeguarding the integrity of our public media institutions, and ensure that they serve as beacons of truth and pillars of democracy for the benefit of all. It is my hope that these new offices will be used to their full potential, becoming a hub of information dissemination, where the Namibian public can continuously access information about their government and fellow citizens. These offices should be a place where ideas are exchanged; stories are told,” he said.
Erongo governor Neville Andre also expressed gratitude to the government through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) for enabling the national broadcaster to carry out its mandate.
“The NBC is the largest media organisation in the country with a wide range of public radio stations that reach every part of our country through programming, mostly delivered in languages spoken in all regions of our country. Hence, its importance in information dissemination cannot be overemphasised,” Andre added.
On his part, NBC director general Stanley Similo urged the nation to make use of NBC services that are accessible to everyone.
“We are here, we have a right to be here, and we are going nowhere. Whether you like it or not, we are joined at the hip (with MICT). We are happy that the region and the greater Namibia will enjoy what we are doing here,” he noted.
– edeklerk@nepc.com.na