WORLD PRESS FREEDOM NAMIBIA 2014

The map above indicates Namibia's situation on the 2014 World Press Freedom Map.  

The World Press Freedom Index is a reference tool that is based on seven criteria: the level of abuses, the extent of pluralism, media independence, the environment and self-censorship, the legislative framework, transparency and infrastructure,” said Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire. It makes governments face their responsibilities by providing civil society with an objective measure, and provides international bodies with a good governance indicator to guide their decisions.

The 2014 World Press Freedom Index covers 180 countries of the world. Finland tops the index for the fourth year running, closely followed by Netherlands and Norway. Sadly Namibia has lost three places and is now featured at position 22. 

The 2014 Index spotlights major declines in media freedom in such varied countries as the United States, Central African Republic and Guatemala and, on the other hand, marked improvements in Ecuador, Bolivia and South Africa.

Click on link for to see the World Press Freedom Index and the 3-dimensional map "freedom of the press worldwide."

Prayer points for the Media in Namibia

• Thank our Father for being a God who communicates with his creation – through scripture, through creation, through sending his son – the Living Word – and for the many different ways he speaks to us today.
• Thank God for information and media freedom in Namibia.
• Thank God for writers, producers, broadcasters and journalists working in the media – for their abilities, skills and for all who seek after truth.
• Pray a blessing on our media, and ask that it would be characterised by wisdom and integrity.
• Ask God to raise up more godly men and women journalists who will champion the powerless and seek truth and justice in Namibia.
• Pray for yourself, your community, and our nation to be wise consumers of information and opinion.
• And ask God to bless the relationship between the church and the media.

Source of prayer points: Praying for the Media © 2012 Peter Crumpler and www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 2

MEDIA FREEDOM IN NAMIBIA

The world celebrates Press Freedom Day on the 3 rd of May. Not many countries in the world and in Africa have reason to celebrate. But here in Namibia we have reason to praise God. On the Press Freedom Index for 2011/2012 Namibia have a positive placing, not only within the region and the continent, but also globally.

Namibia is placed 20th in the world, receiving an index score of -2. This score identifies Namibia as being on a par with Belgium in terms of freedom of the press. Namibia is even rated higher than countries like Japan, Australia, France and the United Kingdom.

• Let's praise God now for the Namibian constitution that protects our press freedom.
• Praise God for the government and the press that honors the constitution.
• Let's pray for all media in Namibia to report with wisdom, as they are actually very powerful to influence and shape the perception of the public.
• Pray that they will use their power for the common good in the people of Namibia.
• Trust that they will not fail to present the other side of the story.
• Ask for wisdom for the editors to use the very positive effect that media can have on people to evoke feelings of love, national pride and patriotism, especially in situations involving national difficulties or catastrophes.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3

Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus. Luke 1:3