With the spate of propaganda spreading like wildlife across the nation to the international community, Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai has opened his doors to a potential partnership with the media in a bid to halt biased reporting.
The COAS gave this selfless advise during a dinner with Editors and strategic media partners at the Command Guest House, Maiduguri as part of his activities in the theatre of war to boost troops’ morale.
Lt Gen. Buratai hailed the media for their immense and critical role in security and national development “through untiring efforts of editing news reports and other materials being published or broadcast”.
According to him, however, more could still be done.
The COAS urged the editors to take advantage of this new partnership with the Nigerian Army as they will be afforded first-hand information on the state of the security in the country.
” I want to emphasize that you play a vital role in security and national development. While we fight with guns to protect the society, you fight with your pens to do the same. Consequently, fighting without one another can be compared to fighting with one hand tied behind your back,” he stated.
” We are therefore appealing to you to be more understanding in the discharge of your professional duties. Your support is highly required because of the immense role you play in shaping national focus and thus, national security.
” We want you to trust us more as we continue to defend the territorial integrity of our country. It does not augur well for national security and troops’ morale when the military is portrayed as weak and corrupt, not trusted or respected as was the case with the recent unfortunate attacks on our locations and the lopsided reports on them.
“The war against terrorism and insurgency need to be viewed and reported as it is; war between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and terrorists and criminals, not Nigerian Army versus the Boko Haram terrorists. We are carrying out these operations on behalf of the Nigerian State and the people. Therefore, we should enlighten the people to enable them to understand, support our efforts and appreciate our sacrifices.”
Lt Gen. Buratai displayed unusual military trait by setting up a Human Rights desk to foster civil-military relations as soon as he became COAS.
He, therefore, challenged the media to make good use of this platform but must avoid reporting falsehood capable of wrecking ruins across the nation.
“Mindful of the fact that you have been doing commendably well, I must however challenge you to consider the fact that in everything we do, the preservation of Nigeria as one indivisible and united corporate entity should be our topmost goal. Terrorists thrive in publicity.
“In countries like Turkey, even though the relationship between government and the media has been rather adversarial, the media helps the government and the country’s armed forces by according little or no voice to terrorists and divisive elements. This understanding exists in Pakistan and a host of other countries experiencing the scourge of terrorism and insurgency.
“Although, I am not in any way advocating for gagging of the media, far from it! The noble profession of journalism as a conscience of the society should partner with the Nigerian Army to ensure the enemies of the nation are kept at bay, and not in any way encouraged through our reportage to continue their dastardly acts on our citizens and residents in this country.”
