NAMIBIA MEDIA FREEDOM VIOLATIONS AND VICTORIES 10 May 2017 VICTORY A revised Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian print, broadcast and online media was launched by President Hage Geingob at a belated celebration of World Press Freedom Day in Namibia on 10 May 2017. The Namibian Code is the first co-regulatory framework in Africa and is one of the most progressive frameworks in the world. At the launch the president guaranteed that as long as he is head of state “the freedom of the press is guaranteed.” 6 October 2017 LEGISLATED The Whistleblower Protection Act and the Witness Protection Act were signed into law. Both instruments are aimed at strengthening anti-corruption efforts in the country. Prior to the adoption of the law, civil society successfully lobbied for the removal of Section 52 of the Act, which stated that a whistleblower’s protection could be withdrawn if the person was critical of government policy when making a disclosure. November 2017 THREATENED A proposal was made at the SWAPO elective congress to create a cyber security ministry to control information on social media, hacking, and monitor illicit financial flows. The resolution was not adopted at the congress, it was nevertheless tabled and deferred to an extraordinary congress, which is likely to take place in 2018. December 2017 VIOLATION OF PUBLIC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Then Attorney-General Shacky Shanghala filed a lawsuit in the High Court against activist Job Amupanda who he accused of defamation over several comments made on social media, during the 2017 Attorney Generals’ symposium in Doha, Qatar, where Amupanda was in attendance.