The Namibian Newspaper had fired one of its long service journalists. Journalist Sheefeni Nikodemus on 2 June received a letter signed by the Manager/ Editor of The Namibian, Tangeni Amupadhi, terminating his services with immediate effect.
The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) joins its affiliate the Namibia Media Professionals Union (NAMPU) in condemning in the strongest terms possible the arbitrary dismissal of journalist Sheefeni Nikodemus which by all indications is illegal, exploitative in all ramifications and unacceptable from an institution that pledges to defend media freedom and the rights of journalists.
According to a statement issued by NAMPU, the sacking of journalist Sheefeni Nikodemus is as a result of an illegal disciplinary action. NAMPU expressed concern and disgust about the conduct of the Namibian Newspaper, “a media company which has for years stood as a pillar of press freedom and defender of workers’ rights”.
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The statement revealed that The Namibian newspaper has forced journalist Sheefeni Nikodemus to work for five years without a valid employment contract, “slashed his condition of service without consultation and subjected him to a sham disciplinary process all in violation of Labour Act 11 of 2007”.
The Acting General Secretary of NAMPU, Jemima Beukes, said that the arbitrary sacking of journalist Sheefeni Nikodemus is not only a labour rights issue, but also must be seen as a freedom of expression issue. “You cannot have free and independent journalism while journalists are abused, silenced and left contactless”.
The disciplinary charges against Nikodemus were nothing but “a smokescreen to punish a journalist who had the courage to demand lawful treatment. His demands were simple and reasonable: a signed contract, a clear job description, and protection under a fair code of conduct. For this, he was met with threats, ambiguity, and an illegal hearing devoid of process, evidence, or transparency. This disgraceful conduct by The Namibian spits on the values of the Windhoek Declaration of 1991, which states: The establishment, maintenance and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press is essential to the development and maintenance of democracy in a nation.’
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman, said that sacking of journalist Sheefeni Nikodemus is shocking and bizarre most especially coming from a media outlet that was known for defending media freedom. “The arbitrary dismissal of journalist Sheefeni Nikodemus undermines international labour standards and creates a dangerous precedent that can instil fear in the hearts and minds of the journalists and media workers at The Namibian. The disciplinary process in itself is unjustifiable and undermines trade union procedures”.
The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) joins NAMPU in demanding for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all disciplinary actions against journalist Nikodemus as well as issuing him with a valid employment contract and demonstrate its commitment to the principles of the Windhoek Declaration
