The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has called on the media to embrace developmental journalism as a tool to support military operations and safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity against external threats.
General Musa made this appeal on Thursday in Abuja while addressing the Roundtable Discussion on Nigeria’s Security and National Interest, organized by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), for Defence Correspondents.
He emphasized that developmental journalism promotes public awareness of defence and security issues while holding governments, defence stakeholders, and other actors accountable.
According to him, this approach not only informs policy decisions but also fosters national cohesion and stability, advancing Nigeria’s national interest.
“National security should not solely rely on the strength of the Armed Forces but should be strengthened by an educated, healthy, and socially cohesive population underpinned by developmental journalism,” General Musa said.
He further explained that developmental journalism involves collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders, with a focus on people-centric reporting to achieve national interests.
Highlighting his leadership concept, he stated: “To nurture a professional Armed Forces of Nigeria that is people-centric and capable of meeting its constitutional responsibilities in a joint and collaborative environment.”
General Musa outlined several strategies for defence reporting through a developmental journalism lens.
These include prioritizing human security, conducting investigative reporting on policy impacts, promoting dialogue and inclusivity, and engaging stakeholders through available platforms.
He also emphasized using data-driven storytelling to foster evidence-based public discourse.
“These approaches will build trust and cooperation between the military, civil society, and other stakeholders, enhancing understanding of local dynamics for better social cohesion and collaboration,” he added.
The roundtable also featured remarks from key stakeholders. The National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major-General Adamu Laka, highlighted the media’s pivotal role in shaping public perception and policy on national security.
He urged journalists to report with accuracy, fairness, and sensitivity to counter misinformation and terrorist propaganda.
“Through shared experiences and open discussions, we aim to deepen our understanding of terrorism’s evolving dynamics and the ethical considerations of reporting on sensitive issues,” Major-General Laka noted.
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, represented by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Alhaji Jibrin Baba-Ndace, commended the NCTC for organizing the discussion.
He urged continued engagement with the media to counter terrorist narratives and promote responsible reporting that prioritizes national security and interest.
Former Defence Spokesman, Major-General Chris Olukolade (rtd.), in his presentation, underscored the importance of fact-checking in counter-terrorism reporting.
He cautioned against publishing false or exaggerated claims that could inflame tensions or jeopardize security operations.
He stressed:” Defence reporting should align with the broader goal of safeguarding national unity and security.”
The event concluded with a call for sustained collaboration between the military, media, and other stakeholders to promote national security and enhance public awareness through balanced and development-focused journalism.
