Editors' Forum of Namibia
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Editors' Forum of Namibia (EFN) is a non-profit, non-governmental voluntary organization comprising editors and senior journalists from Namibia's print, broadcasting, and online media. Founded on June 26, 2007, in Windhoek, the organization serves to defend and promote media freedom, pluralism, independence, and self-regulation in Namibia.[1][2]
The EFN was established to create a unified voice for media practitioners in Namibia and to establish a self-regulatory framework for the press. The organization was instrumental in drafting the Code of Ethics and Conduct for Namibian Print, Broadcast and Online Media and works closely with the office of the Namibian Media Ombudsman, which handles grievances and complaints by members of the public against the media.[3][4]
Press freedom advocacy
The EFN frequently intervenes in legal and public disputes to protect journalistic integrity and the safety of reporters in Namibia.[5]
NBC High Court Case (2024)
In early 2024, the EFN and the Media Ombudsman were taken to the Windhoek High Court by the state-owned Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). The legal dispute arose after the Media Ombudsman and the EFN found the NBC guilty of bias and unethical service delivery following public complaints. The NBC challenged the verdict, accusing the EFN of administrative violations. Justice Shafimana Ueitele ruled that the decisions made by the Editors' Forum and its associated bodies are subject to public scrutiny and review, marking a significant legal precedent for media oversight parameters in Namibia.[6]