Insecurity- Experts caution journalists on use of words
Insecurity
Lagos, May 3, 2018 (NAN) A cross section of security experts in Lagos has cautioned journalists on the use of words in their publications which sometimes fuel insecurity in the country.
Some experts who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in separate interviews on Thursday said the choice of words used in some news publication were capable of causing chaos in the country.
Mr Gbenga Latinwo, a security consultant said that some media firms were only bothered about selling a front page story without putting into consideration the consequences of the story.
“It is right if media houses decide to tell a story exactly how it is, but there is also the need to think of the impact of the story on the populace.
“There is need to tone down the words used in publications in a way that a group of people do not feel bad and triggered to cause chaos,” he said.
Mr Mike Sullivan, a security expert said that reporters should always put into consideration the multiethnic nature of Nigeria when writing a story which cut across various tribes.
“An instance is when there is a clash in a community where there is more than one tribe.
“Even if the reporter knows that the clash was fuelled by the fact that the parties involved are not of the same tribe, he should focus on the main cause of the clash and leave out the tribal differences.
“The appropriate security agency should be left to worry about the tribal differences not doing the prosecution in your writing,” he said.
Mr Olanrewaju Fashakin told NAN that reporters should be more professional in their reports and not let the urge to get a front page story overshadowed issues of national security.
In his words, “what shall it profit a reporter who puts the country in chaos over a story that he could have written better and get the attention of the necessary authorities.”
Mrs Patricia Okubanjo, another security consultant however, said that it was true that a reporter should be the eyes and voice of the people, but there is need to thread softly when dealing with issues of national security.
A Security expert, who pleaded anonymity, gave an instance where he had a misunderstanding with a reporter over the figures of casualties in an intertribal clash.
“The reporter kept insisting on the little time she had but I made her understand why she needed to hold on the figures so as not to trigger reprisal attack.
“We are aware that reporters need to do their job just like we need to. It will only be good if we both work together and put the National Security in mind”, he said. (NAN)
BOM/ESAN/MNA
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Edited by Abiodun Esan/Maureen Atuonwu