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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has called for deeper collaboration between the military and the media in combating the multi-faceted security challenges threatening the peaceful coexistence of the country.
Gen. Oluyede said in an era where the battle for hearts and minds was as critical as the battle in the field, responsible media reportage has become a key enabler for successful military operations.
The Army Chief made this known at the opening of a three-day seminar organised by the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR), in Abuja.
Represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Major General Mohammed Abdullahi, at the event, the COAS said this became necessary as the synergy between the Nigerian Army and the media was not a matter of convenience but a strategic imperative to shaping public understanding, mobilising national support, and highlighting sacrifices made by troops in defending the nation.
He said the theme of the seminar “Enhancing Responsible Media Reportage of Nigerian Army Operations in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment for Enhanced National Security” underscores the vital role of accountability, balance, and responsibility in the reportage of military operations — particularly in a joint environment where collaboration among security agencies is indispensable.
The COAS, while noting that with the rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the speed and reach of information — both genuine and false — have multiplied, said fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes now pose real threats to national cohesion and operational integrity which demanded serious caution by the media practitioners.
“Therefore, our collective task is not only to counter misinformation but to ensure that truth and verified facts dominate public discourse.”
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He said “Through initiatives such as this seminar, we seek to build a shared framework for responsible, conflict-sensitive reporting — one that amplifies truth, promotes professionalism, and safeguards national interest. It is our collective duty to ensure that the stories of our men and women in uniform are told accurately, respectfully, and in a way that strengthens the bond between the Armed Forces and the people we serve.
“To the participants, I urge you to make the best use of this platform. Learn, share experiences, and build the capacity to navigate today’s complex media environment. The lectures and discussions during this seminar have been carefully curated to address the evolving challenges of defence communication, crisis reporting, and information management.”
The COAS urged the participants to seize the opportunity of the seminar to learn, share experiences, and build the capacity to navigate the complex media environment as papers to be presented have been carefully curated to address the evolving challenges of defence communication, crisis reporting, and information management.
Earlier in her address, the Acting Director Nigerian Army Public Relations, Lt-Col. Appolonia Anele, said that in today’s dynamic security environment, the role of the media goes beyond reporting events, extending to shaping public perception, rallying national support, countering misinformation and influencing the outcome of military operations.
She also states that with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the rapid spread of information through digital platforms, narratives could be manipulated within seconds – fake news, doctored images and deepfakes now pose as much threat as enemy propaganda on the battlefield.
“This reality underscores why fact-checking, verification and responsible journalism have become indispensable to both national security and public trust. No doubt, warfare is not fought solely with weapons but also in the information domain. Hybrid threats, disinformation campaigns and Artificial Intelligence-driven fake content are being weaponized to erode public confidence, discredit institutions and demoralise security forces.
“To defeat these threats, we must counter falsehoods with verified facts, replace propaganda with truth, and ensure that the Nigerian public is accurately informed. This calls for professionalism, ethics and patriotism from all media stakeholders.”
