CDS Seeks Military-Media
CDS Seeks Military-Media Relations
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General AG Olonisakin has
called for collaborations between the military and the media for
enhanced public education on national security.
General Olonisakin made the call at a one-day seminar for
defence correspondents at Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
The seminar, which is themed “Enhancing National Security and
Cohesion Through Responsible Media Reportage” is geared towards
improving relationship with the military in order to advance its
new strategies in peace building efforts.
He said: “The nature of military operations demands that we
maintain cordial working relationship with the media for
enlightenment purpose and national security.
“Furthermore, it is imperative that we mobilize and sustain
support for our operations as well as improve the mutual
understanding between the military, media and general public.
“The current efforts of the military and other security agencies
at tackling security challenges in the country cannot be fully
successful without media support. It is, therefore, pertinent that
accurate reportage is prioritised while falsehoods and inflammatory
stories are reduced to the barest minimum and whenever possible,
avoided.”
In his keynote address, the Director General of National
Orientation Agency, NOA advocated objective, effective and
responsible journalism.
“Some common media practices which exacerbate crises situations
in Nigeria include surface and sporadic coverage of conflicts as
against in-depth and investigative reporting, selective reportage
and stereotyping of individuals and groups (including the
military), reporting conflicts out of context, use of inciting,
bogus and sensational headlines in a bid to boost sales, and
passing off statements and attributes of individuals as those of a
group, thereby making generalisations not supported by facts.
“If the mass media will contribute meaningfully to combating
insecurity in Nigeria, then it must desist from such practices,” he
said.
Earlier, the Director Defence Information, Col. Onyema
Nwachukwu, in his welcome address, said the seminar was
conceptualised in order to have effective media as an instrument
for crisis management and conflict resolution, as well as a
veritable tool for socio-political development of the country.