About 40 police officers are attending a five-day workshop on the freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in the capital.

The workshop, which started on Monday and will end on Friday, is being hosted at the Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute.

Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Inspector General, Joseph Shikongo, in his keynote address at the opening of the workshop, said the trainees will explore the legal frameworks that protect journalists, the digital landscape's evolving challenges, and the ethical dilemmas that arise in the pursuit of truth.

“I am confident that you will share experiences, strategies and best practices that can fortify our resolve to uphold journalism's fundamental values. In a world where information flows rapidly and boundaries between nations blur, the role of journalists as guardians of truth and accountability has never been more crucial. Freedom of expression lies at the very heart of a thriving society, fostering open discourse, exposing injustices and shaping narratives that shape our collective understanding,” Shikongo said.

He stressed that the course will serve as a guiding beacon, lighting the way for responsible and respectful reporting in relation to law enforcement.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency