Misinformation, fake news can’t be tackled without military, media partnership – GOC
STEPHEN GBADAMOSI, IBADAN
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Auwalu Mahmuda, has emphasised that misinformation and fake news cannot be effectively tackled without a strong partnership between the media and the military.
Mahmuda stated this on Wednesday, when the executives and members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council, paid a courtesy visit on the GOC at the Division’s Headquarters in Ibadan.
The GOC urged journalists to always verify information with the military before going into the press, warning that unverified information can cause irreparable damage and more harm than good.
He reassured the press that the Nigerian Army views them as vital partners in national development, highlighting the dangerous situations journalists brave to provide accurate information to the public.
The GOC promised the Oyo State Correspondents Chapel of military support in areas, such as training and medical outreach, especially ahead of their upcoming press week.
The GOC said that misinformation and fake news can only be reduced or eliminated when the media work together with the military and verify information they received before publishing or broadcasting it.
“I will appeal to you to avoid publishing information without first confirming its exact and true nature with the military.
“Sometimes, when unverified information is released, it can cause more harm than the information it intended to address,”he said.
Mahmuda said it was unfortunate that some journalists failed to verify information at their disposal before publishing them, adding that misinformation spread faster than expected and cause irreparable damage.
“I want to reassure you that the Nigerian Army sees journalists as partners, but they are also expected to play their part in demonstrating clearly that they are partners of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Mahmuda, however, commended members of the m Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, for highlighting the Division’s activities and contributions to national development.
“We are all Nigerians, irrespective of the fact that some of us wear uniforms. I believe that, whatever we are doing, we are all working towards the success and development of this country,”he said.
The GOC appealed for stronger collaboration in enlightening the public on the efforts of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in tackling insecurity in the country.
“I have seen journalists go to places where other civilians dare to set their foot. They put themselves in difficult and dangerous situations simply to obtain accurate information that can be shared with the public,” he said.
Chairman of the chapel, Mr. Yinka Adeniran, commended the 2 Division for its relentless efforts in maintaining security, specifically highlighting the successful rescue of the Oriire kidnap victims.
Adeniran appealed for support of the Nigerian Army on the forthcoming press week of the chapel in areas of lecture and health outreach for members, among others.
