Government tables law curbing media military coverage

The Media Institute of Southern Africa said in a statement on Wednesday that it was "gravely concerned" about the restrictive provisions contained in the proposed Defence Bill. The Namibian government on Tuesday tabled a law aimed at limiting media coverage of security and defence issues.

Defence Minister Erkki Nghimtina told parliament the law would make it an offence to publish or broadcast information "calculated or likely to endanger national security or the safety of members of the defence force". He added that the media was not "security conscious" and that their actions could "compromise the security of the country and the safety of our members if not controlled".

The draft law also authorises military personnel to seize cameras and films if they think they have been used to photograph military sites. Analysts said sections of the proposed law were unconstitutional and in conflict with sections of the constitution which dealt with the freedom of expression.

"MISA holds the opinion that everyone has the right to information from public authorities, including information relating to national security. We believe that no restriction on this right should be imposed on the grounds of national security, unless the government can demonstrate that the restriction is prescribed by law and is necessary in a democratic society to protect a legitimate national security interest," the MISA statement said.