nbc Director General Stanley Similo and the Ambassador of the European Union to Namibia, Ana Beatriz Martins, held talks in Windhoek to discuss possible areas of cooperation.

During the meeting at the nbc head office in Windhoek's Northern Industrial Area, both Similo and Martins were united in their views on the crucial role of the media in Namibia.

The meeting was also attended by nbc's Chief Commercial Officer, Nico Mwiya; Acting Chief of News and Programming, Sackey Shikufa; Head of Radio Services, Suoma Negumbo; and Head of News and Current Affairs, Peter Denk.

Ambassador Ana Beatriz Martins, a native of Portugal who took office in Namibia in September, was accompanied by her Press and Communications Officer, Twaku Kayofa. 

Welcoming the EU delegation, Similo pointed out that freedom of the media is crucial for democratic processes, pointing out that the late President Hage Geingob was a strong proponent of free media. 

Similo also stated that it is important that the EU's presence in Namibia is understood, and the national broadcaster is an ideal partner because of its size and reach across Namibia, speaking to about 1.6 million people daily on all its platforms.

"Because in terms of output, we have to make sure that it speaks to a value system that is trusted. That people can go to. It's no wonder these days that when there is news breaking somewhere in the country, or even sometimes outside, and people get it from a different source, they will ask, What is nbc saying?" 

Ambassador Martins, on her part, expressed appreciation for the cooperation the office of the EU ambassador enjoys with the nbc and the media in general.

"I think one's views on many issues and values are not a question of West or East or North or South, but that is really a question of commitment and the constitution that one has. So my compliments for that, for the daily work that you do to keep the media free."

Ambassador Martins stated that a recent survey revealed that many Namibians do not really know what the EU does here, so there is work to be done, and nbc can play a central role in that regard. 

A total of 23 EU member countries are accredited to Namibia, with six having embassies in Namibia and the remaining 17 being residents of Pretoria in South Africa.

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Peter Denk