Pact To Kick Out Terrorism Signed Between Military, Media

As part of efforts by the Chief of Army Staff to wipe out the scourge of Boko Haram terrorism from Nigeria, the Nigerian Army and the media have entered a treaty to work against terrorism propaganda in the interest of country.

This comes on the heels of a two day media conference held in Abuja between the Army and media practitioners cutting across the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Professional Bloggers Association, National Institute of Public Relations and Online Publishers.

During the conference, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General TY Buratai, charged participants to shun the unprofessional habits of fake news reportage.

Gen Buratai maintained that some news items can pose as threat to national security therefore as “gatekeepers” editors should be proactive while doing their duties.

At the end of the conference, a media pact was signed with the military and journalists reaching a concrete agreement to end terrorism in Nigeria.

Excerpts of the communiqué reads below:

“At the end of the highly interactive sessions, the conference observed as follows:
The fight against terrorism and insurgency is relatively new to both the military and media, resulting in occasional strains in the relationship between the two in the course of work.

“The Media and military have been collaborating in the fight against terrorism and insurgency; however, there is no consensus on the challenges and expectations placed on each other.

“The perceived posture of the military as the sole defender of national security often isolates the media and the attitude of some of the media, breeds mutual suspicion and weakens the needed collaboration between the military and the Nigerian media.

“Improper handling of strategic information could amplify activities of terrorists and insurgents, spread fear in the citizens, jeopardize military plans, and dampen troops’ morale, thus, inadvertently guarantee additional financing and recruitment base for the insurgents.

“Publication of unverified information on social media or the conventional mass media may constitute threats to national security and unintentionally promote terrorist propaganda, reveal military strategies, and jeopardize the safety of military personnel. Freedom of expression has constitutional limits when it poses clear threats to national security. Media reportage shapes perception about Nigeria and Nigerians internationally. Therefore, caution is required, considering the implications of such reports,”

The 2019 Nigeria Army Media Conference according to pundits is the first of its kind with participants at the event commending the COAS for initiating the concept. The event witnessed a large turnout of members of the academia, veteran journalists as well serving and retired military officers.