press gains if it is not followed up by solid commitments from the new administration. stringent measures against perpetrators as opposed to refuting every allegation made. At the same time, the work of journalists as well as the security of whistleblowers will be at risk if the government does not make financial commitment to the establishment of the witness protection office. Furthermore, the government is called upon to be transparent about State projects that are driven by tax-payers’ money and allow journalists access to information on deals signed. Namibia’s constitutional and dignified power transfer after President Geingob’s death has also created an atmosphere of safety, stability and predictability which is conducive for a safe and free media environment. The Namibia Media Practitioners’ Union has been vocal in protecting the rights of journalists, but the union still needs to find affiliation from all members of the Fourth Estate for it to have bargaining power. The suspension of the managing editor at the New Era for expressing his views against the judiciary set a dangerous precedent and has the effect of creating fear in any future endeavour by State-controlled media to make state institutions accountable to the people. However, Namibia can be lauded for putting in place such a union whose work must also include close consultations and collaboration with civic society organisations in the country and the region. Finally, the registration of SIM cards via the collection of biometric data has created paranoia as regards the safety of journalists. It is equally important to highlight that media houses have the obligation to put in place sexual harassment policies and internal reporting mechanisms that protect fully those, who may report on misconduct. Namibia’s future press environment rests on adherence to democratic principles safeguarding rights as well as desisting from the abuse of power to get access to private information without reasonable and constitutional grounds. Media houses are required to protect journalists against abuse, while at the same time taking References 1. https://www.namibian.com.na/namibia-reclaims-top-spot-on-press-freedom- sion/ index-in-africa/ 18. https://www.namibian.com.na/suspended-new-era-editor-reinstated/ 2. 19. https://www.voanews.com/a/nangolao-mbumba-is-namibia-s-interim-presi- https://www.namibiansun.com/local-news/level-of-transparency-urged-for- geingobs-us-trip2024-01-28 dent/7471038.html 3. https://neweralive.na/posts/mbuende-our-democracy-was-tested-to-the-core- 20. unity-calmness-hailed ing-to-mourn-geingob/ 4. https://www.namibian.com.na/will-president-nangolo-mbumba-rock-the-boat- 21. or-steady-it/ dent-caught-in-new-fishing-corruption-allegations#:~:text=The%20law- 5. https://www.cran.na/2022/12/07/the-importance-of-sim-registration/ yer%2C%20who%20is%20not,siphon%20public%20funds%20generated%20fr- 6. om https://www.namibian.com.na/sim-card-registration-and-the-spy-agen- https://www.namibian.com.na/visa-exemptions-for-delegates-comhttps://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/2/namibian-presi- cy/#:~:text=With%20mandatory%20SIM%20card%20registration,or%20inter- 22. https://www.pplaaf.org/cases/fishrot.html net%20connection%20in%20Namibia 23. https://www.namibian.com.na/newsroom-sexual-harrasment-union-plays-to- 7. public-gallery/ https://www.eaglefm.com.na/news/journalist-sourc- es-could-face-threats-amidst-mandatory-sim-card-registration/#google_vignette 24. https://www.namibian.com.na/newsroom-sexual-harrasment-union-plays-to- 8. ‘MTC must stop biometric data collection’ - News - The Namibian public-gallery/ 9. https://www.namibian.com.na/mtc-must-stop-biometric-data-collection/ 25. 10. sault2024-04-04 https://www.facebook.com/informantenam/photos https://www.namibiansun.com/crime/news-editor-charged-for-lovers-as- /a.277814335618867/5520552801344968/?type=3 26. 11. https://www.namibian.com.na/thousands-withoute-walletafter-sim-card-deac- assault-case/ tivation/ 27. fdiintelligence.com/content/news/explainer-how-green-hydrogen-put-namibia- 12. https://www.namibian.com.na/new-era-managing-editor-suspended/ on-the-map-83146 13. https://neweralive.na/posts/apology-to-the-judicial-service-and-judges 28. Address Hydrogen Secrecy and Contradictions - Opinion - The Namibian 14. 29. https://www.observer24.com.na/politicians-ordered-suspen- https://www.namibian.com.na/news-editor-accused-of-gbv-opens-counter- https://www.namibian.com.na/civil-society-demands-disclo- sion-of-new-era-news-editor-amupanda/ sure-amid-green-hydrogen-secrecy/ 15. 30. https://economist.com.na/57483/human-resources/journalists-launch-me- https://www.namibiansun.com/energy/kandjoze-dismisses-green-hydro- dia-professionals-union/#:~:text=The%20Namibia%20Media%20Profession- gen-secrecy-concerns2023-08-18 als%20Union,%2C%20Secretary%20General%2C%20Mahongora%20Kavihuha 31. 16. gen-secrecy-allegations/ https://www.namibian.com.na/journalists-protest-against-suspen- https://www.namibianewsdigest.com/alweendo-rubbishes-green-hydro- sion-of-new-era-managing-editor/ 32. https://www.ecooilandgas.com/namibia-sees-11-billion-barrels-in-offshore-oil- 17. https://www.namibian.com.na/media-workers-union-irked-by-editors-suspen- reserves/ STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023 68