Central bank empowers journalists
The Bank of Namibia (BoN) this week held a training session to empower members of the media on its operations, with emphasis on illicit financial flows and the workings of the payment system, among others.Addressing the media practitioners during the opening of the workshop, the central bank’s deputy governor, Leonie Dunn, said the fast pace at which information is shared heightens the need to ensure accuracy and trust.
“Today, where information is rapidly flowing, the accuracy of reporting has never been more critical. Accurate reporting is at the core of trust between the public and the media, and by extension, trust in public institutions like ours. Factual reporting ensures that economic decisions, both by policymakers and the public, are made on a solid foundation of reliable information," Dunn said.
The media is a useful conduit for sharing critical information with the public, she added.
“Namibia faces several economic challenges, including global uncertainty and geopolitical risks and their implications for safeguarding price and financial stability in Namibia. When highlighting these challenges and the policies put in place to mitigate them, you play a crucial role in shaping public understanding and dialogue,” she said.
Dunn also highlighted the media’s role in shaping the perception the public has about how the bank conducts itself and manages the economy as the principal economic advisor and banker of the government, saying their reporting can “shape public perception and drive interest and investment” in critical sectors of the economy.
Over 15 journalists participated in the training, comprising print, television and radio media practitioners.