Lawyer Sisa Namandje has urged Namibians to reject the growing culture of misinformation, gossip, and deliberate abuse of social media. Speaking at a public lecture at the International University of Management's Ongwediva campus, Namandje emphasized the importance of exercising freedom of expression responsibly and balancing it with other fundamental rights, including the protection of human dignity and privacy. He acknowledged that freedom of thought and expression remains indispensable to the discovery and dissemination of political truth in a democratic society.
Namandje highlighted the distinction between the constitutional protection of human dignity and fundamental freedoms. He argued that dignity, protected under Article 8 of the Constitution, should not be treated in the same way as fundamental freedoms under Article 21, which are expressly subject to limitations. He warned that some individuals deliberately exploit constitutional freedoms to manufacture and disseminate false information while violating the dignity of others.
The lawyer drew attention to the impact of social media on the dissemination of information. He noted that the speed and reach of social media had created fertile ground for "gossip and fake news entrepreneurs" who continuously harvest and spread unverified or false information about others. Namandje accused these individuals of not being motivated by principles of public interest or constructive democratic debate, but rather by a desire for power and control over others.
Namandje further criticized the use of vulgar language, inflammatory rhetoric, and calls associated with violence as tools to demean, marginalize, and undermine the dignity of others. He emphasized that the problem extends beyond reputational harm, as social media users can also violate the right to privacy by intruding into the personal lives of others and spreading information with no legitimate public-interest justification.
The consequences of such behavior should not be underestimated, Namandje warned. He urged Namibians to abhor the spread of fake news and gossip, saying that it must be anathema to all of them. The lawyer emphasized that freedom of expression is an essential component of political hygiene and a normative value necessary for the development and preservation of a democratic culture.
Suppressing legitimate expression can breed repression, while repression can generate resentment and hatred, ultimately threatening social stability, Namandje said. He emphasized the need to strike an appropriate balance between the fundamental right to express views freely on matters of national interest and the obligation to respect the rights and dignity of others.
Speaking at the same event, lawyer Kadhila Amoomo also emphasized the importance of the right to dignity. While Namandje's remarks focused on the responsible exercise of freedom of expression, Amoomo's comments highlighted the significance of protecting human dignity in the face of misinformation and abuse on social media. The event underscored the need for ongoing discussions on balancing fundamental rights and freedoms in Namibia's democratic society.
Key points
- Lawyer Sisa Namandje calls for responsible exercise of freedom of expression
- Namandje urges Namibians to reject misinformation and fake news
- The right to dignity is essential in Namibia's democratic society
