The Committee to Protect Journalists on Friday urged Namibian authorities to protect press freedom after two recent incidents it said reveal a worrying reluctance by officials to face public scrutiny. The CPJ named the expulsion of reporter Jemima Beukes from President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah’s official residence and online threats against journalist Tracy Tafirenyika as examples that threaten Namibia’s reputation for independent journalism.
During a photo session outside a Cabinet meeting at State House on Feb. 2, Beukes approached President Nandi‑Ndaitwah and asked whether she could pose a question. When the president declined, Beukes asked about alleged involvement of the first family in the oil industry. According to CPJ, security officers promptly escorted her away from the area, preventing her from continuing her line of questioning.
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Separately, CPJ said Tafirenyika has received online threats after reporting on xenophobic remarks attributed to a government minister. The organization did not name the minister but said the threats followed the publication of the journalist’s coverage and commentary, and have contributed to a climate of intimidation against members of the press.
“These incidents — the expulsion of a reporter from State House and online attacks on a colleague for doing her job — dent the reputation of a country seen as a beacon of press freedom in Africa,” said Muthoki Mumo, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator. Mumo called on Namibian authorities to “safeguard and respect the rights of the press” and to ensure journalists can report without fear of harassment or retaliation.
Press freedom advocates say the ability of journalists to question senior officials in public settings is a basic safeguard of accountability. Expulsions from official premises and threats on digital platforms can have a chilling effect, deterring probing coverage of public interest issues such as potential conflicts of interest involving political leaders and private industry.
CPJ’s statement follows broader concerns in the region about political rhetoric and online harassment targeting journalists. The watchdog urged Namibian officials to investigate the online threats against Tafirenyika, to hold those responsible to account, and to clarify rules governing media access to official events so journalists can perform their duties safely and without undue interference.
The organization said it would continue to monitor developments and called on media organizations, civil society and international partners to press for transparent responses from authorities in Windhoek.
By News-room
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
