The NMT Media Foundation has renewed its call for stronger protections for journalists worldwide, stressing that impunity for crimes against media practitioners remains a threat. 

The statement was released to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, observed every year on 2 November, a day established by the United Nations General Assembly to honour journalists who have been killed or attacked for doing their work and to demand accountability from those who commit such crimes.

The director of the Foundation, Zoe Titus, said that journalists in conflict zones such as Gaza, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to face deliberate targeting, including killings, torture, and enforced disappearances intended to silence witnesses and suppress accountability. 

While global impunity remains a challenge, Namibia stands out by maintaining a relatively safe, friendly and open media environment. 

Journalists in the country enjoy press freedom, with no reported arrests or killings of journalists for doing their job. 

Namibia’s legal framework supports self-regulation through the office of the Media Ombudsman, which handles complaints and upholds journalistic ethics without state interference.

The newly appointed Media Ombudsman, Dr. Sadrag Shihomeka, has urged journalists to uphold fairness, accuracy, and responsibility in their work. Recently, he called on media practitioners to align with the country’s current political climate.

The NMT Media Foundation also drew attention to emerging threats facing journalists, particularly AI-facilitated gender-based violence targeting women reporters. 

It cited statistics showing that most women journalists have faced online abuse, with some suffering physical attacks as a result.