The Speaker of the National Assembly has expressed concern over what she describes as the disproportionate portrayal of women in the media.

Speaking at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's (NBC) 35th anniversary, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said the effect of this imbalance affects women's public confidence, which in turn undermines the democratic norms of accountability that the media must uphold.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila explained that the media often puts undue emphasis on women's issues in a negative light, focusing more on controversy and personal conduct while comparatively giving little attention to women's contributions to government, business, science, and public life.

She noted that media that consistently position women as subjects of controversy rather than agents of progress are reinforcing a framework that limits the ambitions of the next generation.

"The NBC has 10 radio stations across the country. The representation carried out by these services has consequences for how young Namibians understand what women in leadership look like and what they are capable of. I therefore call upon the NBC at this milestone anniversary to reflect critically on its editorial practices as they relate to gender. This is not a call for favouritism coverage but for fair and substantive coverage that treats women leaders as the full professionals that they are."

Another phenomenon that affects women's public and online presence is cyberbullying, explaining that the advancement of artificial intelligence has deepened these threats. 

"The response to this crisis must be proportional to the scale. Existing legal frameworks in many jurisdictions have not kept pace with the technological sophistication of the perpetrators; social support systems are often inadequate; technology platforms continue to operate without sufficient accountability; and public media institutions can use their platforms, which have substantial reach, to take an active editorial position on this matter, report it and refuse to amplify it and to remodel the kind of digital response conduct that we wish to see adapted more broadly." 

She congratulated the NBC, saying for 35 years it has been the voice that carried Namibia into the homes of its people and carried the voices of those people back to those in authority. 

"The 35th anniversary is not just a numerical milestone; it is a record of sustained service to this nation through elections, constitutional debates, economic cycles, natural disasters, moments of national mourning and moments of national celebration," she said. "Public trust in the NBC is not automatic; it must be earned through editorial independence, factual accuracy, balanced reporting and commitment to the public interest."

Also speaking at the event was Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus, who noted NBC's role in informing, educating and entertaining Namibians, as well as its commitment to providing accessible and reliable information to communities across the country.

"What more can I say except say 'happy 35th anniversary NBC'? The journey ahead remains ours to craft; we need to inform with purpose, educate, unite the nation, and entertain a growing nation."