STRENGTHENING MILITARY-MEDIA COLLABORATION: A STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE FOR THE NIGERIAN NAVY.

STRENGTHENING MILITARY-MEDIA COLLABORATION: A STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE FOR THE NIGERIAN NAVY. 

 BY YUNUSA ABUGI ABUJA.

The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace has reiterated the need to deepen a harmonious relationship between the military and the media.

The DG VON stated this while delivering a lecture at the Nigerian Naval War College in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, South-South Nigeria .

Mallam Ndace who has written a trilogy on his experience as an embedded defense correspondent in the North East Nigeria, shared his experience with the participants on the Nigerian Navy NNS Kada, where he was the only civilian on board during a mission to Liberia. 

He stated that "This experience highlighted the importance of collaboration between the military and the media".

He added that "In today's digital age, information dissemination has become increasingly complex. Social media and citizen journalism have transformed the narrative, making it challenging for the military to manage information".

The lecture further explored the relationship between the military and the media describing it as crucial for national development. He added that both parties need each other to achieve their desired interests. 

The military must engage not only reporters but also gatekeepers (editors) to promote national interest in reporting.

The DG Voice of Nigeria cited Nigeria's role in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where the military's failure to promote their efforts allowed the British Army to take credit for their accomplishments. 

This highlights the need for a media plan in every military operation to set the narrative and showcase the military's achievements.

The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria then urged the Nigerian military to recognize the media as partners and deliberately work with them to positively amplify their story, through trust building.

He emphasized that a deliberate media plan is essential to avoid fake news, misinformation and disinformation thereby ensuring that the right narratives are portrayed to the public always.