By Staff Reporter SWAKOPMUND The rights of journalists in Namibia are protected, said Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, last Thursday as the country joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Press Freedom Day. “Freedom of the press is one of the fundamental rights that journalists in Namibia have been enjoying since the dawn of independence on March 21, 1990,” the minister boasted. This year’s theme is “Press Freedom, Safety of Journalists and Impunity”. Last year, 107 journalists and media practitioners were killed worldwide in the line of duty. In the past decade up to 500 were killed. Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that there is urgent need to curb further danger to the lives of journalists, and commended the role journalists play in getting information out to the world. “I would not turn a blind eye to the significant contributions that journalists have been making in the advancement and consolidation of democracy and in the promotion of Vision 2030 goals,” the minister noted. Press freedom is guaranteed in the constitution of the country, and guaranteed through international and regional instruments ratified by the government, such as the SADC Protocol on Culture, Information and Sports, as well as the 1991 Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press. “Journalists are instrumental in bringing about change,” Nandi-Ndaitwah continued. “To be able to celebrate World Press Freedom Day with a free conscience, in this information age journalists should continue to join hands with the government in promoting good governance by fighting corruption, creating awareness of the government’s priority projects and programmes among the population, and helping in consolidating peace and stability in order to build a prosperous and healthy nation.” She added that the media can play a significant role in encouraging public participation in the democratic processes by helping people make informed choices and decisions, “not only in choosing their political representatives, but also in improving their cultural and socio-economic conditions”. She did, however, express disappointment at the predominantly urban reporting, to the detriment of rural coverage. “Rural areas, where the majority of the people live, are highly neglected in terms of news and information coverage and dissemination,” she criticized, calling for equal reporting of rural and urban stories. “It is high time we give people at the grassroots a wider space in the media and public domain to express themselves and learn from best practices from others in efforts to better their livelihood. Press freedom can only be meaningful and can survive for as long as all people have the capacity and ability to express themselves and exchange ideas, knowledge and experiences, freely and democratically.” “In conclusion, allow me on behalf of the government and the people of Namibia to wish all journalists success in commemorating this day and to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives while on duty to serve the world population,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.