with editorial independence and the freedom of the newspaper to report on government and arms of State without interference. (14) Media freedom and coverage of Geingob’s death The Affirmative Repositioning movement’s leader, Job Amupanda said, “Jonathan Beukes has been suspended on instructions of politicians because he is not promoting the corrupt regime, but instead sticking to media ethics.” While in some countries the death of a president is a closely guarded secret in the early days, the burgeoning free press environment of Namibia allowed the media to report on the health and status of the president in the hours that he died. The apology also received widespread condemnation led by the Namibia Media Professionals Union (15), the only union representing media practitioners in the country. Journalists were free to query why the president had to be flown to the US for treatment and whether taxpayers’ money was used or not. (19) Namibian journalists picketed the office of the New Era publication demanding the immediate reinstatement of the managing editor. (16) Even reports on his death were unrestricted and journalists had access to all facilities for the duration of his funeral services. Its acting secretary-general went on record to say: “This incident raises serious questions about press freedom, journalistic independence and the protection of journalist rights in Namibia.” (17) Journalists had access to his private residence at Casa Rosalia, although concerns were raised about accredited journalists having to be reregistered to cover the events leading to the burial. Information and Communication Technology minister Peya Mushelenga and his executive director, Audrin Mathe, were accused of pressuring the paper to issue the suspension letter for its managing editor. Although there was a heavy military and police presence both on land and in air along with tightly secured borders, journalists were not subjected to suppression during the course of doing their work. Mushelenga responded by saying that the misplaced obsession to drag him into the New Era saga was baseless. Visa exemptions were given to foreign journalists that flew in to cover the burial at the Heroes Acre. (20) Following the very public pressure, New Era opted to reinstate Beukes, although there was no information available as to what informed this decision. (18) Beukes’ suspension has put into question the ability of the New Era publication and all the other State-controlled media organisations to continue critical reportage on State institutions. The freedom with which the media were able to cover the president’s death can be attributed to Geingob’s affirmations, as he assured the sector, that during his tenure no journalists would be restricted from doing their work either by arrests or detentions (Namibian, 2017). The Namibian government continues to monopolise State media, which also is a recipient of the large portion of government advertisements. He upheld the belief that a free press is the cornerstone of democracy, allowing for open debate, accountability, and the exchange of ideas (Soni, 2024). Journalists like Gwen Lister continue to disagree with the notion that government must be involved in media business and that the South African example should have been replicated here, where the SABC is not under direct government control. Toivo Ndebele, editor at the Namibian Sun says the promotion of media freedom will go down as one of the hallmarks of the Geingob administration. The late president, however, had serious differences with the media which he accused of seeking to topple him when he was implicated in the Fishrot scandal. (21) Growth in the advertising market can also reduce media bias under State ownership, though because the government need not bargain to achieve bias when it directly controls the media (Gehlbach, 2008). The scandal involved high ranking government officials and business people, who are currently standing trial for giving preferential access to 65 STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023