The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has urged Social Media Users to employ international best practices of journalism with emphasis on accuracy and accountability in their reportage.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the advise at the 45th Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar with the theme “Emerging Trends on Social Media: Impact on National Security held in Port Harcourt Rivers State.
The COAS who was represented by the Director General Nigerian Army Finance Corporation, Major General Ehioze Osifo maintained that Clear , truthful and honest conversations with National Security imperatives should always be the guiding principles in Journalism profession.
” I therefore charge you all to desist from bias reportage, disinformation including fake technology packed by AI, do not support malicious use of social media platform especially on issues on National Security”.
“Outright disinformation of fake news and wrong reportage do not only demoralize troops but diminish the sacrifice of our gallant soldiers and dishonour the memories of those killed in action”.
“Disinformation of fake news does not get better with time rather it deepens mistrust and strengthen the adverse narrative. Truth is indeed the best remedy of reportage” the COAS said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Nigerian Army Major General Musa Estu-Ndagi said the Seminar was a platform for stakeholders to discuss, collaborate and proffer ways of promoting positive social media culture. Major General Estu-Ndagi noted that misuse of the social media was the primary accelerant to national instability and a threat to the nation’s Security.
“You will agree with me that the social media has been used negatively to burn cities rather than possibly to build bridges. Some of us here, I believe, are leaving witnesses to how social media has impinged on national security, either here in Nigeria or out there in other parts of the country.
“In part of Nigeria 46.6% of respondents felt that social media contributes to negative public sentiments by disseminating false information that can lead to civil unrest. This percentage 46.6% to my mind is understating the obvious” Major General Estu-Ndagi stated
A resource person at the event, Dr. Zainab Olabisi-SakaIn while presenting a paper on “Promoting Peace and Trust Through Responsible Online Engagement,” urged social media users to be mindful of what they post on the internet stressing that safeguarding the national security is everybody’s responsibility.
Dr. Olabisi-SakaIn however warned that social media contents such as emotional or inflammatory posts, cyberbullying and hate speeches are capable of inciting ethnic tension or conflict urging users to desist from such act.
Participants at the Seminar commended the Nigerian Army for the initiative and pledged their collaboration for a positive social media culture.
The event was well attended by other security agencies, social media influencers, students including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill
