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afrol News, 16 June - Namibia's ruling party, the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) has joined government in banning advertising and buying "The Namibian" newspaper because of the newspaper's alleged "hostile attitude" towards government. SWAPO Secretary General Hifikepunye Pohamba sent out letters to the party's regional co-ordinators on Wednesday, June 13, 2001, telling them not to use SWAPO funds for "The Namibian". - The Secretary General of SWAPO party hereby directs all party regional co-ordinators as well as party functionaries at the district, branch and section levels not to advertise in or procure 'The Namibian' newspaper with party funds, said Pohamba in the letter. The letter said SWAPO supports the government's decision not to advertise or buy "The Namibian" with "public money under its care". SWAPO chief administrator Andre Hashiyana said the party's businesses are also expected to follow suit." - Of course, if they are SWAPO business they should do what the owner is doing, said Hashiyana. "They cannot remain indifferent if they are wholly owned by Swapo." Hashiyana reiterated: "SWAPO money cannot be used to buy or advertise in The Namibian." The Namibian Government decided in December last year to stop all advertising in The Namibian saying the newspaper had made "unwarranted criticism" of its policies. In addition President Sam Nujoma issued an order late last month forbidding all Government departments from buying the newspaper. The Namibian government however claims that "the freedom of the media and expression have been and remain unfettered." It pointed out in a recent statement that that since independence in 1990 the Government has never harassed, arrested or detained any newspaper editor or journalist or ever banned any newspaper in our country". Research by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and other media organisations does not sustain this claim.
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