Peace, security and development are inseparable. They are products of human rights, because the more a society promotes, protects and fulfils the human rights of its people, the greater its chances for curbing violence and resolving conflicts peacefully. OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE writes that mindful of this reality, the Nigerian Army organised a one-day chat with the media in Asaba, Delta State for reporters in the Southsouth zone tagged “Nigerian Army Civic Quarterly Media Chat for the First Quarter of 2024” to sensitise them to the need to cooperate with the military in fighting insecurity.
Bothered about the near-collapse of a peaceful environment in almost every part of the country; which, most times results in attacks and killing of military personnel and loss of lives of civilians, the Nigerian Army, in its bid to strengthen relations with the media, recently organised a one-day retreat for journalists in the Southsouth geopolitical zone.
Recognising the fact that a solid and legitimate rule of law system protects the human rights of people, holds power accountable, prevents violent crime and provides fair and legitimate avenues to resolve conflict, the Army expresses the view that peace and security, which could include personal security and democracy enhances and sustains socio-economic or human development.
Experts have noted that “peace is an essential element to the realisation of all human rights. It is a product of human rights because, the more a society promotes, protects and fulfils the human rights of its people, the greater its chances for curbing violence and resolving conflicts peacefully.
“Peace is a quality energy that brings balance. World Peace grows through non-violence, acceptance, fairness and communication.”
The event “Nigerian Army Civic Quarterly Media Chat for the First Quarter of 2024,” attracted reporters from the print, broadcast and online mediums and took place in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Also in attendance were media executives, the academia and retired military personnel.
In an address at the media chat, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja canvassed media support for the military in addressing insecurity challenges which the country is experiencing.
According to him, the support was crucial in attaining national security and development in the face of competition for media attention by terrorists.
Lieutenant-General Lagbaja, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major-General Jamal Abdussalam said the event, with the theme “Imperatives of Military-Media Partnership for the Attainment of National Security,” underscores the critical role that collaboration between the military and media plays in safeguarding national security.
He said: “The Nigerian Army recognises the enormous impact of the media as a vital link between the military and the public in providing essential information, shaping public opinion and holding institutions accountable.
He said the media chat was aimed at creating an environment conducive to dialogue among the Nigerian Army and media practitioners, to facilitate the exchange of valuable information and ideas for mutual benefit.
He said the Nigerian Army is striving to deliver on its constitutional mandate, even as he urged the media to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accuracy, impartiality and patriotism by ensuring that their reports contribute positively to national security.
He said the event was planned to foster avenues for collaboration among the military and civil actors given the difficulties presented by the activities of criminals.
He urged the media to refrain from inadvertently amplifying the activities of terrorists, insurgents and other deviant groups which thrive on attention and exploitation to instil fear in law-abiding citizens.
His words: “The unprovoked killing of some of our troops carrying out their constitutional assignment in Okuama Community in Delta State comes to mind.
“More worrisome was the orchestrated use of disinformation to misguide the public about the true account of the incident.
“I, therefore, take this moment to urge the media to refrain from inadvertently amplifying the activities of these undesirable elements.
“Terrorists, insurgents and other deviant groups thrive on attention and exploit propaganda to instil fear in law-abiding citizens.”
The Army Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major-General Nosakhare Ugbo noted that threats to national security could emerge from various sources, including disinformation and urged journalists to be patriotic, especially with competition from terrorists for media attention.
His words: “It is equally aimed at inspiring members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm from this region to continue to support and positively portray the Nigerian Army through constructive and objective reportage.”
He noted the role of the media in shaping public perception of military operations, adding that the Nigerian Army’s ability to effectively communicate its mission and actions is crucial in garnering support and trust.
Ugbo said the Nigerian Army is committed to keeping the media informed of its activities through civil-military relations programmes.
He maintained that the army has the responsibility to engage with the media by providing access to information without compromising operational security and sensitive intelligence.
He urged the media to embrace responsible journalism that is grounded in accuracy and objectivity.
The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria who was the Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Jibrin Ndace suggested regular engagements between the media and the military to ensure that accurate information was disseminated to the public to foster understanding and trust.
His words: “This collaboration plays a pivotal role and serves as a beacon of transparency, ensuring that accurate information is disseminated to the public to foster understanding and trust.”
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza noted that the media was not hostile to the military, stressing that rather it is a bridge linking the government, its agencies and officials to the public.
He praised the army’s collaborative efforts with the media in the interest of national security.
He said: “Establishing this all-important relationship will provide the military the opportunity to communicate with the people and get them to understand what it is doing, clarifying grey areas and carrying them along for them (public) to have a buy-in into the mission of the military.”
The Chairman of Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Churchill Oyowe called for sustained interaction between the military and the media to mobilise the public to support efforts to address current security challenges.
The Guest Speaker, Major-General Olusegun Adeleke (rtd) in a lecture titled “Enhancing National Security Through Media/ Military Engagement,” described the relationship between military-media relationship in Nigeria as largely of “suspicion and adversarial,” due to the nature, cultures and history of both institutions.
He said: “The reason for this frosty relationship is that the media, by its nature, is sceptical, intrusive, freewheeling and entrepreneurial, which makes it respond to the basic tenets of its existence to expose the actions of the government, including the military to public scrutiny.
“On the other hand, the military is overly concerned with the successful conduct of its operations, which usually require the maintenance of operational security.”
He enumerated the issues that drive engagement activities of the media-military to include humanitarian, human rights, child soldiering and target acquisition and engagement/acquisition and engagement.
According to him, a major dilemma faced by the media covering military operations include whether to prioritise national security concerns or the public’s right to know; while the military may grapple with ethical questions about how much information to reveal and how to balance transparency with security.
He said the military and the media sometimes appear to have contrary views or perceptions of what constitutes national security, especially during military operations.
Adeleke suggested that the military should ensure that as much information as possible is made available to the press at the point of filing their stories, even as he urged future planners of media-military relations to consider innovative approaches such as increasing security with media coverage for embedded journalists.
He also urged the military and media to jointly establish clear protocols for information-sharing and reporting.
He called on military leaders to organise regular press briefings and interviews to update the media and the public on important developments, policies and initiatives.
The military should conduct debriefings and after-action reviews with media representatives following major events or operations.
He further urged the military to respect the independence of journalists and their right to report without undue influence or censorship.
In another paper presented at the event titled “Promoting Military-Media Trust for Enhanced Public Support towards Addressing Nigeria Security Challenges,” Prof. Godwin Oboh, using media theories, highlighted the imperatives of cooperation between both institutions.
The interactive event had two panels of discussants moderated by journalists who dissected the lectures presented.
