NaMedia to monitor election media coverage 

By: Josia Shigwedha   

The Namibia media ombudsman launched a six-month project to monitor election coverage in Windhoek today. 

Namibians will vote in the Presidential and National Assembly in November this year. 

NamMedia started monitoring the election coverage from the 1st of July until the 31st of December 2024. 

The monitoring involves publishing and broadcasting material from public and private media houses. Media Ombudsman Dr John Nakuta emphasised the importance of the project. 

“So, this monitoring tool would be focusing on what has been published, what has been broadcasted. So, the focus would be therefore on the public service broadcast media, the private broadcaster,”stated Nakuta.

Veteran journalist Gwen Lister reminded media houses of the importance of balanced reporting and verifying sources.  

 “Similarly, when journalists make use of anonymous sources, this is even more dangerous in election times.  These sources often do not need to be held accountable for what they say, and they may easily have agendas behind their information.  So-called fake news often comes as a result of disinformation, “said Lister.

The media Ombudsman will publish monthly reports, with the final reports expected at the end of February 2025.

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