FG CONSIDERS EMBEDDING JOURNALISTS WITH MILITARY OPERATIONS TO BOOST SECURITY REPORTING
Read Time:1 Minute, 35 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Federal Government is considering a new initiative that would allow journalists to accompany military personnel during selected operations as part of efforts to improve security reporting and deepen public understanding of ongoing security efforts across the country.
The proposal was disclosed on Thursday by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, during the National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Abuja.
Represented by his Special Adviser, Olusanya Bankole, the minister said the planned arrangement would strengthen collaboration between the media and security agencies while encouraging greater transparency in military activities.
According to him, the media remains a critical partner in shaping public perception of security operations and supporting national stability.
Musa noted that modern security management now extends beyond physical battlefields, with information and public narratives increasingly influencing the outcome of conflicts.
He explained that the effectiveness of military operations should not only be measured by battlefield achievements but also by the level of public confidence in security institutions.
“More than ever before, the media are not only enablers; they are stabilizers of government.
“The defence ministry is exploring arrangements to embed journalists with military units during operations to enable more accurate reporting and deeper understanding of operational realities,” he said.
The minister added that the proposal forms part of broader efforts to improve engagement between security institutions and the media while ensuring that operational information reaching the public is factual and balanced.
He stressed that stronger cooperation between journalists and security agencies could contribute to building public trust and improving national security outcomes.
The proposed move comes at a time when Nigeria continues to confront multiple security challenges, including insurgency and internal security threats.
Security agencies have at different times faced criticism over restricted access to operational areas, a development that critics argue has contributed to misinformation, conflicting accounts and public scepticism surrounding frontline security operations.
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