Gen Kukasheka: How Fake News Hinders Nigerian Military Strategies, Troops’ Operations
The publication of fake news and unverified information on social media or in the mainstream media by journalists also constitutes threats to effective conflict management as they promote propaganda, reveal military strategies, and jeopardize military personnel’s safety, especially during Internal Security Operations, ISOs.
This was the argument of Brig. Gen. Usman Kukasheka Usman (rtd), who spoke at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Nigeria, in Kaduna State.
Presenting a paper titled, “The Impact of Social Media and Media Institutions on Internal Security Operations in Nigeria,” before the participants of “Exercise Haske Biyu 2024”, Gen. Kukasheka Usman, a former spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, said the impact or influence of journalist-military cooperation in modern-day conflict is fundamental to the success or failure of ISOs.
“To bridge the military and media relationship gap, there is a need for a sustained and continuous training programme for defence correspondents on coverage of conflicts and military operations.
“This would provide an opportunity to understand the workings of the military, its organization, capabilities, challenges, sensibilities, protocols, and how the media can seek and get information from the military in a conflict environment.
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“In that case, any existing mutual suspicion between the press and the military will be addressed, thereby enhancing their relationship towards fostering conflict resolution and management in Nigeria.
“However, the media should see working with the military as both a social responsibility and a patriotic duty. It shouldn’t be seen as a favour to the military,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s security agencies have much to gain from social media because it can help them do their jobs better. “But the platform also poses some problems for operations, as some troops and security agents have been known to use social media wrongly.
“This has made it harder to carry out operations. Part of the negative effect of social media use is anxiety and stress for security personnel and family members, especially in this era of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation (MDM), when some people share rumours, fake news, and negative happenings instantaneously.
“Similarly, some personnel’s activities online are damaging to the safety and operational security and their colleagues, Service, and the nation.
“Although commanders and leaders at various levels try to enforce Social Media policies and directives, nevertheless, there is a need to do more through effective monitoring, enlightenment, and sanctioning of erring personnel,” the ex-army spokesperson said.
By PRNigeria
