New Era was created by the New Era Publications Corporation Act of 1992.[3] According to Ullamaija Kivikuru, it copied the format of The Namibian in order to establish credibility. The two newspapers still resemble each other in having long stories spread over several pages.[4]
New Era has a usual circulation of 9,000, going up to 11,000 on Fridays.[3] It was established as a weekly newspaper and was later published only bi-weekly. It has appeared daily since 2004.[3]New Era is published in English and five indigenous languages: Otjiherero, Oshiwambo, Damara/Nama, Silozi, and Khwedam.[3]
New Era is published by the New Era Publication Corporation, which is owned by the Government of Namibia. The Minister of Information and Communication Technology has the ability to appoint and discharge members of the board of directors. Several researchers report that government ministers have acted as direct owners of the newspaper, telephoning the editorial department about articles that have criticised them.[5][6] Because of this, the newspaper is perceived to be SWAPO-friendly, and is "often reproached for being biased in favour of the government."[5] However, a 2006 study by Swedish students found New Era to be "more critical and fierce" than The Namibian. This analysis was based on only two opinion pieces per newspaper though. [7]
The managing editor of New Era is Festus Nakatana.[8]
^ abcdRothe, Media System and News Selections in Namibia, p. 23.
^Kivikuru, Ullamaija (2013). "When The History Turns Stronger than the Rhetoric: The Journalistic Culture Drives over Democracy Ideals in Namibia and Tanzania". New Media Influence on Social and Political Change in Africa. IGI Global. p. 123. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
^ abRothe, Media System and News Selections in Namibia, p. 24.
