Use Your Medium to Counter Destructive Ideologies, FG Appeals to Media Executives

Ikechukwu Aleke in Abuja

The federal government, yesterday, appealed to media executives to lend a helping hand in its counter insurgency and counter terrorism effort, by countering terrorism and other destructive ideologies using their respective platforms.

The FG also noted that media contents have been well employed in the past to enlighten and reengineer the mind.

National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Maj Gen Adamu Laka Rtd made this appeal during a meeting with media executives and editors in Abuja.

He noted that the media carried messages that encouraged respect for human dignity, appreciation of the nation’s diversity, and inspire loyalty and love of service to fatherland.

According to him, “while we count on your support and cooperation as the last gatekeepers, all media contents are often published by your consent, it is in your place and sacred duty to take full control and effectively use your mediums of communication to promote mutual trust, build unity among Nigerians and adequately counter the destructive ideologies and narratives of terrorist groups.”

Laka noted that NCTC saw the media as critical partners in the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes, adding that, “for us to be on the same page, the Centre, in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in June this year conducted a 2-day training on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting for journalists.

Former spokesperson of the military and Chairman of Board, Centre for Crisis Communication, Maj Gen Chris Olukolade rtd, said publication of unverifiable information has continued to fuel terrorism in Nigeria.

While noting that the media were a critical partner in the fight against terrorism, Olukolade also appealed to the media to support government effort in crumbling the empire of violent crimes in the country.

In his goodwill message, the SA Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, urged the media to strike a balance between the right to know and national security.