Is language a barrier to public’s participation in the law-making process? An analysis of Namibia Broadcasting Corporation’s live broadcasting of Namibia’s Parliamentary proceedings in the official language.
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Date
2022-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
NAMIBIA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Abstract
This study investigated the issue of language as a barrier to the rights of the public's
participation in law-making process and the impact of the live broadcasting of
Parliamentary proceedings by the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). It further
looked at the role of the media, specifically NBC, in the facilitation of the citizens'
participation in law-making and processes of parliament. The objectives of the study
were to establish the role of the NBC, in the facilitation of citizens' participation in the
law making and processes of parliament. It also critically analyse the extent to which
language is a barrier to the public's participation in the law-making process and finally
analysed the impact of Namibia Broadcasting Corporation's live broadcasting of
Parliamentary proceedings in English on the citizenry. For the purpose of data
collection, the researcher employed the qualitative research approach by conducting
interviews with Namibian citizens. The study revealed that the role of the media in
facilitating citizen participation in law-making and parliamentary processes is critical
and significant because the media create knowledge and awareness on governance
issues and parliamentary functions such as the law-making process. The study also
found that language is a barrier to the citizens' participation in the law-making process.
Based on these findings, the study recommended that translation be considered during
the live broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings and that a dedicated radio and
television channel be established to involve more citizens in the law-making and
processes of government.
Description
Keywords
Citizens, law-making, language, barrier, parliament, proceedings, participation, translation
Citation
Kooper, I. (2022). Is language a barrier to public’s participation in the law-making process? An analysis of Namibia Broadcasting Corporation’s live broadcasting of Namibia’s Parliamentary proceedings in the official language [Master’s thesis, Namibia University of Science and Technology].