per only, but Namibians have to live and revel in them. A 2008 article published in The Namibian quoted former Prime Minister Hage Geingob warning journalists to “tell the truth and nothing but the truth”, adding that “the press is there to report positively on events”. Herein lay the problem - the Geingob administration wanted ‘sunshine journalism’, meaning the media must only report on positive developments and to create an image that all was well in the Land of the Brave. Along the same lines, during a media briefing on Cabinet decisions in April 2017 Tweya cautioned media houses to report positive developments instead of focusing on negative or non-factual stories, according to a New Era article. This, while all was not well in what is known as the ‘Land of the Brave’. The country experienced high rates of violence against women and children, corruption, poverty, alcohol and drug abuse. Recent budget cuts had left schools, hospitals and clinics short on staff, medication, medical equipment, textbooks, stationery, cleaning materials and toilet paper. Were the media supposed to ignore all this and only report on yet another speech made by a minister at the opening of a workshop or conference? In a landmark 1996 High Court case (Fantasy Enterprises v Minister of Home Affairs, 1996), the judgement stated that “the need to jealously protect the right to freedom of speech and expression and the value thereof in a democratic society has been stated and restated over many decades in many jurisdictions all over the world.” The High Court judge further argued that the concept of freedom of speech and expression is “not limited in 80 So This is Democracy? 2017 content to that which can be regarded as pleasing, inoffensive or indifferent, but extends also to that which disturb, offend or shock.” In addition to the socio-economic challenges faced by ordinary citizens, the media and civil society began to face crippling financial decline. Due to Namibia being labelled a middle-income country seen against the background of the global economic slowdown; the country was no longer the darling of the international donor community. At least two civil society organisations had closed down annually over the last three years. Social media had become the preferred source of news for many, which resulted in a decrease in newspaper sales. Print was trying to find ways to gain revenue from their online versions, but this was still in its infancy stages and it is not yet known if this would succeed in enhancing their financial sustainability. News stories of underachievement, corruption, nepotism or failure of government policies remain vital in pointing out where the nation needs attention - for directing, assisting efforts towards achievement of national goals. Perhaps, as Tawana Kupe suggests, media (party, government or private) need to find some sort of common ground - “a balance between an affirmation of positive developments … and highlighting those tensions that signal that all is not well.” PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS The media would be the first to admit that it is not perfect, hence the commitment to consistently improving and strengthening the self-regulatory system. During the year under review, the Editors’ Forum of Namibia (EFN) appointed