CCC Boss Advocates Development Journalism, Fact-Checking in Counter-Terrorism Reporting
The Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), Major General Chris Olukolade (Rtd), has underscored the pivotal role of development journalism in counter-terrorism reporting, urging journalists to embrace fact-checking as a fundamental tool in their work.
The Chairman disclosed this at a Roundtable Discussion with the members of the Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DECAN), organized by the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.
Presenting a paper titled: “National Security and National Interest: A Development Journalism Approach for the Defence Beat,” Gen. Olukolade stressed the need for accuracy and responsibility in defence reporting. “Journalists must recognize the potential impact of their stories on public perception and national stability,” he said. “Defence reporting should align with the broader goal of safeguarding national unity and security.”
Olukolade emphasized that fact-checking is essential in countering terrorist propaganda and preventing the dissemination of false or exaggerated claims, which could undermine military efforts and public trust. Furthermore, he advised journalists to always consider national interests when writing their reports so as to avoid sensationalizing issues that may lead to public disorder and equally threaten national security.
In his contribution, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, highlighted the critical role of development journalism in promoting national security and defence. He described it as a tool for fostering public awareness and understanding of defence issues, thereby enhancing military efforts.
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“National security cannot and should not solely rely on the strength of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Musa said. “It must be strengthened by an educated, healthy, and socially cohesive population. Development journalism plays a crucial role in achieving this by promoting people-centrism in our national interest.”
Musa called for active collaboration between journalists and media organizations to enable effective storytelling that prioritizes human security, investigative reporting, and evidence-based outcomes. He noted that such an approach would build trust and cooperation between the military, civil society, and other stakeholders. “Today’s occasion provides a unique opportunity to discuss the critical role of the media in fostering Nigeria’s national security,” he added. “This collaboration is essential to furthering Nigeria’s national security interests.”
Similarly, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the NCTC, described journalists as pivotal in shaping public perception and policy on national security. He stressed the importance of accurate, fair, and sensitive reporting in an era fraught with misinformation.
“By sharing your experiences and observations, we aim to enhance our collective understanding of the dynamics of terrorism and its evolving tactics,” Laka said. “This will help us discover the ethical considerations of reporting on such sensitive issues.”
Laka assured the media of the centre’s continued collaboration to counter terrorist propaganda and sustain national stability.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, represented by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba-Ndace, commended the NCTC for organizing the roundtable and urged the media to maintain responsible reporting.
“National security and national interest must always be at the forefront of media reporting,” Idris said. He also called for sustained engagements between the military and the media to effectively counter terrorists’ narratives.
