Namibia: SWAPO member calls for clampdown on journalists

ALERT - NAMIBIA

22 October 2001

Ruling party member of parliament calls for clampdown on journalists'
rights

SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek

(MISA/IFEX) - During the week of 15 October 2001, South West Africa
People's
Organisation (SWAPO) party backbencher Doreen Sioka unleashed a barrage of
criticism during the National Assembly, accusing the media of being a bunch
of "liars, distorters and creators of conflict," "The Namibian" reported on
Monday 22 October.

According to the report, Sioka said that, because "some media have become
liars, distorters, warmongers and creators of conflict, to expose personal
secrets," there is a "need to intensify powers to seize the rights of
journalists."

The SWAPO member of parliament's criticism was triggered by an article,
published in "The Namibian" in March, about a woman and man who were
hospitalised after they got "stuck" during sexual intercourse in Katima
Mulilo.

Sioka felt that Chrispin Inambao, the journalist from "The Namibian"who
wrote the article, reported information that was based on "rumours." The MP
decided to investigate the case herself because she felt "it was shameful
news." Sioka said she approached the journalist who said he had reported
what he heard.

"The journalist is based in Windhoek, but he cannot report on rumours,"
Sioka said.

"I would also term some of these news media as trying to be the first to
see
Jesus when he will appear to the World. They are [reporting"> under the
pretext of people's interest. Telling lies. Is that [in the"> people's
interest?" she asked.

Inambao said he was "flabbergasted" that some members of parliament "do not
grasp the content of even simple self-explanatory stories and they are just
bent on politicising non-political issues."

"If Mrs. Sioka fully comprehended the story," said Inambao, "she [would">
see
that this rumour concerning the stuck couple was widely circulated at
Katima
Mulilo and like a responsible journalist I tried to verify this information
with sources at Katima and I also contacted the hospital."

He ascertained that this was merely an urban legend and had reflected this
in the article.

"It was also unfortunate that she used a story that I feel was neither here
nor there, a non-example," he said.

BACKGROUND:
In the article, published on Monday 19 March, titled "Hospital dismisses
'stuck' couple story", "The Namibian" reported that the Katima State
Hospital had dismissed a tale circulating in the town that a man and a
married woman were hospitalised after they got "stuck" during sexual
intercourse.

According to Inambao, he was approached in the capital city, Windhoek, by
several people who appeared very anxious to volunteer information about the
story. In the article, he included several "versions" of the story,
concluding that the hospital staff had dismissed the story as "a mere
fabrication."

For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975,
fax: +264 61 248016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected],
Internet: http://www.misa.org/

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
_________________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
489 College Street, Suite 403, Toronto (ON) M6G 1A5 CANADA
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts e-mail: [email protected] general e-mail: [email protected]
Internet site: http://www.ifex.org/
_________________________________________________________________
>>