The Federal Government is considering a move to allow some journalists to accompany the troops during some selected military operations.
This would be in a bid to give a better security reportage and inform the members of the public better of the counterterrorism efforts of the battle-hardened troops.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, disclosed the plan on Thursday at the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, the minister said the proposed arrangement would foster closer collaboration between the media and security agencies while promoting transparency in military activities.
In the minister’s words: “More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilizers of government.
“The defense ministry is exploring arrangements to embed journalists with military units during operations to enable more accurate reporting and a deeper understanding of operational realities.”
This is a highly commendable move by the military as the Fourth Estate of the Realm is usually kept in the dark about the activities of the military in their fight against the more than decade-long insurgency.
Military historians and Political Pundits will recall that it was the American media coverage of the Vietnam War that led to its end, as the atrocities committed by the American troops were brought to the living rooms of Americans back home, which enraged them. Also, the swift defeat of Iraq by America in the Gulf War was made possible by the positive public opinion of most Americans of the war, which was available to them through 247 hours of coverage of it by the Cable News Network (CNN).
When the Federal Government does well, it is the media’s duty to praise them as journalists are not always attack dogs.
A big thumbs up to our FG for this well-thought-out policy!
