John Nakuta, the Media Ombudsman of Namibia, says there is a reduction in disinformation and misinformation during the current pre-election period compared to the lead-up to the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly Elections.
In a recent appearance on nbc’s current affairs talk show “One on One,” Nakuta noted that instances of misinformation and disinformation have been minimal this time around.
“We don’t know the exact reason for this, but it may be related to the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. People witnessed the dangers of misinformation and its consequences, such as the hesitancy towards vaccination and the devastating effects on our nation,” he said.
Although Nakuta’s second term ended last August, the Editors’ Forum of Namibia has extended his tenure until the end of this month. During his time in office, he reported receiving numerous complaints from various sectors in Namibia.
“We have received complaints from the highest office in the land during President Geingob’s tenure; however, in both cases, the complaints were withdrawn. We’ve also received complaints from the judiciary, and in one instance, we ruled against the judiciary. Complaints have come from traditional authorities, businesses, and individuals. This indicates that our office is recognized and accepted by a diverse array of people and institutions.”
Dr. Nakuta also emphasized that Namibia’s media landscape is positive, ranking highly both in Africa and globally.