Why media is integral in national security – Experts

Experts have identified media one of the major stakeholders in the discourse of national security across all sectors of the country.

They made their submissions at a virtual conference organized by Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research Nigeria (WISER) with support from the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

In his welcome address, the President and Founder of WISER, Brig Gen. Saleh Bala (Rtd) said the major aim of organizing the conference with support from OSIWA is aimed at improving the understanding of national security in the civil space which according to him is “Crucial to national security,”

The conference had the theme “Mass Media and the Intersection of National Security and the Civil Space in Nigeria”

Speaking on why the media is key in national security, Gen. Bala said “In delivering a credible democracy, the role of the press is crucial because the media ensure transparency in governance as well as hold government accountable.

He added that the media serves as “A veritable tool for misinformation that can cause disharmony or distort national security”

In his keynote address, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Abdulrahman Dambazzau described media as “Gatekeepers”

He said the media serves as “Watchdogs and whistleblowers as well as agenda setters whose existence in the media is majorly to drive public opinion and ensure that government delivers dividends of democracy to it’s people,”

Speaking further Mr. Dambazzau said “Article 19 Declaration on human rights emphasis freedom which is further backed by the 1999 constitution.

“The media serves as platform for expression and promoting human development by pointing out lapses and where government can improve.,”

He said the polarisation of he media has made it possible for fake news to thrive which is why the initiative by the organizers of the event is timely to ensure that the media is enlightened on the need to be aware of their relevance in national security.

He further urged media operators to explore area of collaborations with government at all levels to ensure that national security is enhanced through dissemination of accurate and credible information.

Also in her submissions, Chairperson of the event, Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje underscored the relevance of the media in civil space.

She said “The role of media to inform, educate and entertain cannot be overemphasized as these key informations are consumed on a daily.

“As such, if the media can make or mar national security as he public feeds on it’s information daily,”

She urged the Nigerian media to always uphold truth and never deter from reporting issues as they are devoid of sentiments.