Don’t Compromise National Security, Report Responsibly – COAS Urges Media
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede says responsible media reportage is a key enabler of operational successes in the military.
The COAS stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while declaring open a seminar organised by the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) for its personnel and other services, as well as Defence Correspondents.
The seminar has the theme “Enhancing Responsible Media Reportage of Nigerian Army Operations in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment for Enhanced National Security”.
The COAS, represented by the Commander Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Major General Mohammed Abdullahi said that media has always been indispensable in shaping public opinion in military activities through factual reportage, which in turn contributes significantly to civil-military cooperation.
The Army Chief called for accountability, balance and responsibility in reporting military operations, particularly in a joint environment where collaboration among security agencies is indispensable.
The COAS observed that with the proliferation of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the speed and reach of information, both genuine and false, have multiplied, posing serious challenges to national unity and operational integrity.
He warned that fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes now constitute real threats to national cohesion, stressing that the task of both the military and the media is to ensure that truth and verified facts dominate public discourse.
“Victory today is not won solely on the battlefield,” he said. “It is increasingly fought in the information domain, where narratives, perceptions and public confidence are decisive.”
Lieutenant General Oluyede, therefore, enjoined media practitioners to always ensure that truth and verified facts dominate public discourse.
He pledged that the Army, under his leadership, will continue to carry out its constitutional responsibility of defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria.
He commended the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, for her initiative and dedication to enhancing professional standards in military-media relations, and the resource persons and media executives for their collaboration and commitment.
Earlier, Lieutenant Colonel Anele stated that the seminar aligns with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff in consolidating the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
She noted that the training was to highlight the importance of accurate, responsible and strategic reportage of Nigerian Army operations, to deepen the synergy between the Nigerian Army and the media in the collective pursuit of national security.
She highlighted the importance of media in shaping narratives, mobilizing public support, countering misinformation and ultimately influencing the success of operations undertaken by security agencies.
The Acting Director pledged to ensure access to credible, timely and verifiable information that enables responsible reporting without compromising national security interest.
