Namibian media outlets are upset after the US embassy’s inquiry about their ties to Western publications whose subscriptions the State Department canceled. Editors criticize the implications for editorial independence amid the Trump administration’s cost-cutting measures. High-profile publications targeted include The Economist and The New York Times, prompting calls for a free press free from external pressures.
Namibian media outlets expressed outrage after inquiries from the US embassy regarding their affiliations with Western publications whose subscriptions have been terminated by the US State Department. On February 11, 2021, the State Department directed its facilities to cancel non-essential media subscriptions, a move tied to cost-reduction efforts under the Trump administration.
A subsequent directive, dated February 14, prioritized the cancellation of subscriptions from prominent media outlets, including The Economist, The New York Times, Politico, Bloomberg News, the Associated Press, and Reuters, according to reports from the Washington Post.
On February 18, the US embassy emailed The Namibian, inquiring whether it or its services were linked to the publications mentioned. The embassy emphasized that it had been instructed to avoid media subscriptions conflicting with its operational goals related to enhancing national safety and prosperity and fulfilling treaty obligations.
The Namibian’s editor, Tangeni Amupadhi, highlighted his astonishment at the overt attempt by the embassy to assess alignment with US policy. “We are an independent news organization. Not even in our country do we allow our government to insist on us having to be aligned with their agenda,” he stated.
This sentiment was echoed by Ester Mbathera, assistant editor at Windhoek Observer, who expressed concerns about potential infringements on editorial independence and suggested that this could represent an effort by the US embassy to undermine democracy in Africa.
Frank Steffen, chair of the Editors’ Forum of Namibia, underscored the overwhelming support for a free press among Namibians and criticized the US authorities for attempting to interfere with local media, which predominantly focuses on unbiased coverage of regional politics, with international news serving a secondary role.
The US embassy’s inquiry into the affiliations of Namibian media outlets has sparked profound discontent among local journalists, raising significant concerns regarding editorial independence and the role of external influence on African media. The responses from various editors reinforce the commitment to journalistic autonomy and the necessity for separation from political agendas. The incident highlights the tension between international diplomatic efforts and local media integrity, encapsulating broader issues of press freedom within the context of diplomatic relationships.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
