The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) strongly condemned the suspension of news editor Da’oud Vries of the government paper New Era as an "ominous act with negative bearing on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression and opinion, which includes the freedom of the press and other media". The managing director Sylvester Black on Monday afternoon apparently handed over to Vries the letter of suspension, allegedly after a board decision. PLUS has reliably learnt, that Vries had to "clear his work desk" as well. It is the first time in Namibia’s media history that a news editor of a newspaper was suspended.

It followed an investigation conducted into possible negligence after a highly inflammatory letter several weeks ago was published in New Era a month ago. "We deplore this suspension as procedurally misplaced and an overkill considering the fact that New Era has already recently issued an apology for publishing the letter," said Nadia Ihuhua, NSHR senior spokesperson. "This scheme of things is likely to have a far-reaching chilling effect and create even deeper self-censorship of especially those media workers in the state-owned electronic and print media", Ihuhua added.

In a Press Release issued on 2 July, the NSHR expressed "strongest condemnation of the ill advised and reckless publication of a hate-filled article" entitled "Wants Answers on Invasion by Kwanyamas". The offensive article, purportedly authored by one Hilaria Iiyambo, generated widespread criticism directed at inter alia Information and Broadcasting Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.