NUJ urges security agencies to adopt strategies to counter misinformation
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has urged security agencies across the country to adopt coordinated communication strategies to counter misinformation and build public confidence.
This is contained in the communique signed by the National President of the the NUJ, Mr Alhassan Yahaya, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja
The communique issued at the end of two-day Security Summit with the theme, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building” was organised by the NUJ in collaboration with the Department of State Services.
“Structured mechanisms for regular engagement between media organisations and security agencies should be established.
“Security agencies should adopt transparent, timely, and coordinated communication strategies to counter misinformation and build public confidence.
“On ethical reinforcement, media organisations should strengthen fact-checking systems and uphold high ethical standards, particularly in security-related reporting.
“Conflicts should be addressed through legal and professional frameworks that uphold press freedom and due process.
“Regular joint training programmes should be instituted for journalists, editors, and security communication officers,” he said.
Yahaya further recommended that government should increase investment in education, youth empowerment, and social protection programmes to address root causes of insecurity.
He also noted that women should be systematically integrated into security governance and peacebuilding structures.
He stressed that community-based security systems and early warning mechanisms should be formalised to strengthen intelligence gathering.
“In addition, stakeholders, including the NDLEA, religious bodies, and educational institutions, should intensify campaigns against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
“Outcomes of this summit should be integrated into national security and communication frameworks for effective execution.
“We also urge state governments to increase funding and institutional support for state-owned media organisations to improve efficiency and professionalism, while maintaining strict adherence to ethical standards and editorial independence.
“We encourage the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence services, and other security agencies.
“This is to strengthen operational capacity through the deployment of modern technology, intelligence systems, and enhanced logistics support,” Yahaya said
