Anosike calls for interface between media, security agencies

The Chairman/Publisher of The Daily Times Newspaper (DTN), Mr. Fidelis Anosike has made a strong case for a serious interface between the media and the various security agencies in the country.

This is even as he suggested the need for the various media outfits in the country to henceforth play down on the level of publicity presently being accorded the bombings that are carried out by terrorists and militant groups in the nation.

Anosike stated these on Wednesday during a courtesy visit on the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Bayo Onanuga, as part of activities marking the 90 years anniversary of the Daily Times Newspaper in Abuja.

The Chairman/Publisher, who led other senior staff of the DTN to the NAN office, expressed the firm optimism that if there is a drastic reduction in the publicity being given to the terrorist and militant groups and their nefarious activities, they (the groups) would think twice and know that they are no longer being attached any importance.

He maintained that there was the need for partnership between the DTN and NAN to work out a situation whereby the boundary of what constitutes news would be talked about and defined.

Anosike contended that it was high time for the Nigerian media to put an end to the celebration of bombers and the activities of the terrorists and militants in Nigeria.

He, therefore, harped on the pertinent need for a serious interface between the media and the various security agencies in the country.

While saying that such interface between the two bodies happens everywhere in the world except in Nigeria, Anosike maintained that security men should learn to see Journalists as parners in progress rather than enemies.

In his words: “There is the important need for interface between the media and the nation’s security agencies. It happens everywhere except here. In Nigeria, security men see Journalists as enemies. This should not be so.”

He noted that the present relationship between the two bodies is the reason for lack of openness in terms of provision of useful information, stressing that if information is freely given, there won’t be any need for speculation and half information, which usually cause rift among them.

Anosike pointed out that there is the need for partnership and critical alliance between DTN and NAN in view of the strategic importance of the news agency.

He described DTN as not just a newspaper but an institution.

In his response, the MD of NAN, Mr. Bayo Onanuga expressed the readiness of the news agency to partner with DTN in the area of media development as well as training and internship among others.

Onanuga described the present period as a difficult period for newspaper houses in the country in view of the hardships being faced by them, which include; the rising cost of production and hike in prices of everything needed to print them.

Saying that the visit by the DTN Chairman/Publisher and his team was the first on him since his assumption of office few weeks ago, the MD expressed happiness that such was coming from the newspaper.

The Chairman/Publisher used the opportunity of the visit to formally present a copy of the repacked and rebranded Daily Times newspaper to Mr. Onanuga, who received the DTN team in company of the agency’s Editor-in-Chief, Alhaji Lawan Ado Daura and the Deputy Director (Marketing), Alhaji Biola Lawal among others.