Nigeria’s Chief of Military Employees (COAS), Lieutenant Common Waidi Shaibu, has cautioned social media practitioners towards biased reporting able to endangering nationwide safety.
Shaibu issued the warning throughout his opening remarks at a social media seminar held on the College of Port Harcourt beneath the auspices of the Nigerian Military.
The seminar, themed “Rising Tendencies on Social Media: Affect on Nationwide Safety,” was the forty fifth in a sequence initiated by the Military.
Represented by the Director Common of the Nigerian Military Finance Company, Main Common J.E. Osifo, the Military Chief described fact as the one treatment for misinformation and inaccurate reportage.
Drawing from his expertise as a frontline commander, Shaibu stated disinformation and pretend information not solely demoralise troops but in addition diminish the sacrifices of troopers and dishonour fallen heroes. He warned that misinformation deepens distrust and strengthens adversaries’ narratives reasonably than fading over time.
He urged social media practitioners to stick to worldwide greatest practices in journalism, with emphasis on accuracy, accountability, and accountable engagement.
The Military Chief additionally expressed appreciation for the continued help of Nigerians, notably social media operators, in advancing nationwide safety goals.
In his welcome deal with, the Chief of Civil-Army Affairs, Main Common Musa Etsu-Ndagi, lamented the unfavorable use of social media, citing research indicating that 46.6 per cent of respondents consider social media contributes to civil unrest by way of the unfold of false info.
He referred to as for collective efforts to advertise accountable on-line engagement and reject misinformation, hate speech, and divisive content material.
Additionally talking, the Everlasting Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Info and Communication, Honour Sirawoo, counseled the Nigerian Military for organising the seminar and pledged collaboration by way of the state’s media platforms, together with tv, radio stations, and newspapers.
The seminar featured a paper presentation titled “Selling Peace and Belief Via Accountable On-line Engagement” by Dr Zainab Saka, alongside interactive classes, a contest on Nigerian Military social media handles, and presentation of souvenirs to individuals.
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Times Nigeria