Workshop participants call for better working relationship between Journalists, military spokespersons

KANO – Journalists and spokespersons of military and security agencies have been called upon to have a better working relationship in managing information about conflict situations.
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a three-day workshop on Conflict-Sensitive Communication and Reporting for Spokespersons of Military/Security Agencies and Journalists held in Kano.
NAN reports that the workshop was a collaborative project of the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP), Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) and the Office of the National Adviser (ONSA).
The communiqué was jointly signed by the representatives of NSRP, DAME and ONSA, Priscilla Ankut, Lanre Idowu and Fatima Akilu respectively and made available to newsmen in Kano on Saturday.
According to the communiqué, journalists and spokespersons of military must build confidence and foster trust between them.
“This is because, to a larger extent, one cannot succeed without the other as a state of discord between them can only compound general insecurity,’’ it said.
The communiqué stressed the need for journalists and spokespersons of military/security agencies to work in harmony to ensure that Nigeria did not go through the experiences of Sierraleone, Kenya and Rwanda.
‘’The elements prominent in these countries that led to their crises are present in Nigeria.
‘’These elements are economic and political struggle, ethnic differences, and sensational reporting,’’ the communiqué said.
According to the communiqué, journalists should be conflict-sensitive and pro-actively report early warning signals of possible outbreak of violent conflict, work for the de-escalation of violent conflict.
‘’Media organisations should work for the reduction of conflict and promote the common value of peace without compromising the duty to inform, exercise good judgment in the choice of news stories and headlines.
‘’ The media should not promote sectional interest but national interest in order to check violence in the country.
‘’The media must earn its credibility by being independent, ethical, avoid bias and be accurate in its reporting, as well as educating people on issues with a view to finding peaceful and lasting solution.
‘’The media should educate people in order to do away with the negative stereotypes that play up when a region of Nigeria is mentioned, so that every region will be seen positively and appropriately,’’ it said. (NAN)