ABUJA – Mr Obiora Chukwuma, the Special Assistant to the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has described the media as `key instrument’ in overcoming deception in the society.
Chukwuma made the statement on Saturday in Abuja at the launching of a book entitled “The Red Flags: How to detect and overcome deception.’’
Chukwuma, who was the book reviewer, said that deception was a weapon of taking or regaining control that would never be out of season.
“ Deception is a strategy of gaining power, influence or deliverance; when it appears too good to be true, beware, when it is an unsolicited favour beware.
“When it is an irresistible offer, beware, when the offer is presented as free, continuous gift, beware.
“In all these, we are not only culprits but we are equally victims.
“ Because we are in the digital era with powers of communication attaining exponential force through the mass media, the daily risk exposure to deception has multiplied gravely,’’ he said.
He added that deception abound in every sphere of life.
He urged the mass media to follow the footstep of the author of the book by educating the people on the dangers of deception.
He said that deception begets corruption, adding that this had led the government to embark on reforms targeted at checkmating corruption.
“ The reason why government has embarked on reforms to promote transparency and global best practices in public life is because of the endemic nature of deception,’’ he said.
The SA described the book as a “multi-disciplinary work’’ which would serve the needs of the society in politics, military, diplomacy and the academia.
“It is a scholarly work that is as relevant to military institutions, the diplomatic community, the academic world as well as political institutions,’’ he said. (NAN)
