The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has warned media organizations in Nigeria about the efforts of terrorist groups to recruit members by spreading misleading information through various media platforms, including social media, traditional media, and online propaganda.
“This is a situation that we must jointly combat to attain a safe and peaceful society that will guarantee sustainable socioeconomic development,” Ribadu stated.
Represented by Major General Adamu Laka, the Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Ribadu made these remarks at the opening of a two-day workshop titled ‘Effective Reporting Towards Strengthening Alternatives to Terrorist Ideology.’
“Information is power, and I strongly believe this saying. The kind of information we process, and the way and manner we communicate them should be matters of great concern hence information could be functional with positive expectations or dysfunctional with consequences that are negative and life-threatening; the media as conveyor belt of information can therefore influence either positively or negatively,” he said.
He emphasized that this training is part of efforts responding to the UN Secretary General’s Plan of Action for member states to develop and implement a national communication strategy. This strategy aims to disseminate positive content across traditional and digital media platforms to counter terrorist appeals and violent extremist narratives.
“The press is capable of exercising power in favor of the state or in favor of the enemies of the state. Media practitioners must always be mindful of this in the discharge of their responsibilities in order to expose societal ills and suspicious characters and activities, garnering support for the government to be able to tackle challenges,” he noted.
“To achieve this, media practitioners must produce content that would counter or prevent the appeals of terrorism and other non-state armed groups. Indeed, there is the need for robust media campaigns against terrorism, violent extremism, and all other forms of organized crime that are threatening our corporate existence as a country,” he added.
Ribadu highlighted the role of media in shaping public perception and fostering national unity: “In today’s world, communication is expected to assume development orientation. Media contents can change people’s perception and attitude, galvanize solidarity, mutual trust, patriotism, and national cohesion.”
He also stressed the importance of media support for government and national security efforts: “The media is also expected to mobilize support to government and national security efforts, and strongly help to dissipate ignorance that makes some persons susceptible to terrorist appeals and violent extremism narrative.”
To be effective, Ribadu urged media practitioners to enhance their skills in conflict-sensitive reporting and peace journalism: “Such skills will make the media practitioners meet the expectation as valuable contributors to the process of developing a sustainable security culture.”
He assured that the Office of the National Security Adviser will continue to support the National Counter Terrorism Centre in collaborating with the media to build their capacity as part of the objectives of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy 2016 and the National Security Strategy 2019.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, also addressed the workshop, emphasizing the media’s significant role in influencing public opinion and promoting peace.
“In the fight against terrorism, the media can either undermine or bolster our collective efforts to provide alternatives to extremist ideologies. Through your reports, images, and commentaries, you have the unique ability to educate, inform, and inspire resilience among the public,” Idris said.
“Terrorism is not merely a physical threat; it is an ideological battle of the mind with the extremist groups exploiting vulnerabilities, spreading fear, and propagating messages that present them as fighting for a social cause, in order to further their depraved agenda,” he continued.
“To counter this, we must offer compelling, positive alternatives that resonate with the same audiences targeted by terrorists. Therefore, your reporting plays a pivotal role in this endeavor,” Idris stressed.
He urged media to highlight successful initiatives of the National Counter Terrorism Centre and ONSA that counter radicalization and aid the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists.
“I will enjoin the Defence Correspondents/Reporters to work closely with security experts, sociologists, psychologists, and community leaders to provide a multi-faceted perspective on terrorism and its alternatives. Use data and research to back your stories, thereby enhancing credibility and depth,” Idris advised.
“At all times, the media should uphold the ethics of journalism by being objective and fair and guard against sensationalism. You must also respect the dignity of victims and affected communities and avoid language that could be construed as biased or inflammatory,” he concluded.
