The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has advised media practitioners in the South East to report the operations and activities of the army in a responsible and balanced manner.
Lt. Gen. Oluyede made the call in Enugu on Thursday, during the Nigerian Army civil-military cooperation quarterly media chat for the 4th quarter of 2024, with the topic: “Military and media relationship: A panacea for enhanced national security and development.”
Represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Maj. Gen. Hassan Dada, the army chief underlined the importance of enhancing cooperation and establishing avenues for candid communication between the media and the army.
Such candid discussions are necessary in his opinion, for a strong and mutually productive partnership, while maintaining open lines of communication will facilitate prompt information sharing, transparent reporting on military activities and successful disinformation countermeasures.
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“I urge media practitioners to prioritise accuracy and fairness in reporting on Nigerian Army activities and balancing the public’s right to information with national security considerations.
“It is also crucial to avoid spreading misinformation or content that could jeopardise national unity and security. Through collaboration, we can enhance, public understanding, build trust and contribute to the greater good of our nation.
“This partnership should extend beyond conflict reporting to include national development and community engagement.
“By highlighting initiatives that improve the lives of citizens, we can promote a united front against violent armed groups and distractions from nation-building,” he said.
