ROLE OF MEDIA IN NATIONAL SECURITY

 

By Jauhar S. Salihu

The current state of insecurity in Nigeria is highly worrisome and almost every effort to combat it seems to generate more questions. Prominent among these question is “can communication and information technology skills, strategies and infrastructures used for the monitoring, collection, sharing and dissemination of information help in strengthening the national security of Nigeria?”

In attempt to address the above question, we must give credit to mass communication that plays crucial role in strengthening the national security against potential threats and probable attacks via information gathering and sharing. The communication and media sector being identified as the “fourth estate” of the realm of power has over the years proven to be a significant and viable instrument of statecraft. Since the revolution of communication as a result of technological advancement, no state can effectively go into setting a protection objective without consideration of communication and the media. The role of communication in security is not only limited to creating awareness on societal happenings, it offers investigative, monitoring, comprehension and strategic communication advantages to the military and other security concerned agencies (Momoh, 2016).

So, the collaboration between the military and media are sine-qua-non for victory as it enables them get information and give commands based on best situational awareness and make faster and better decision both in conflict and peace time. As a student of Mass communication I come to the realization that communication is vital in this critical times as a country, indeed information is a tool that can be used to protect the nation and achieve security or ruin it. The media is the mediator between a nation’s government and its people. Hence, a nation’s policies are transmitted and interpreted by the media. It is not surprise that in any democratic government there is an emphasis on the freedom of the press to ensure that the media is free from selfish interests. As indicated in Section 22 of the amended 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the media is entrusted with the power of monitoring governance and upholding fundamental objectives of state policy. 

As regards to national security, through the instrumentality of the role of media play in the business of information gathering and sharing, several nations around the world have been able to detect and recognise potential threats from the reportage f the media, the media disseminate information and contact the appropriate quarters for speedily action, verify authenticity of details gotten from the correspondent, interact with security stakeholders irrespective of proximity to ascertain the truth about he issue or event. It is expected that every national government provides a supportive systems it can afford for media organization to excercise their full role of being a neutral umpire in finding the solutions in terms  of protecting the lives and properties of her citizens both in the short and long term. 

Furthermore, in the light of this article that I recommended that security operatives should work with media practitioners as watch dogs.The media should rise to their expectation and use their power judiciously or else national security will continue to be threatened. Newsmen are expected to feed the public with information capable of promoting peace and development. Government is after national interest or public interest and on their part to hear positive information or news favourable to them from the media who are expected to promote harmony and safety of their environment. Nigeria must realize the efficacy of communication as a tool in solving internal and external threats to national security and use it to its advantage in ensuring peace and stability within its borders and in its interaction with foreign counterparts.

In addition, the role of the Media in National security can happen only when there is an existence of symbiotic relationship between the media, the general public and security agencies. This relationship will exist at the level of information sharing or what is usually referred in common parlance as intelligence gathering. In as much the media has valuable information that can lead the security of lives and properties the government f the should appreciate the bold step of every media organization is doing in mirroring the realities of the problems bedeviling he country, the media is not in any way debarred from sharing same with the relevant authorities.

Moreover, media is part and parcel of the society and is not insulated from playing a patriotic role in maintaining peace and tranquility of the state. The media functions as watchdog capable of blowing the whistle to call attention of serious national issues. This implies  clear recognition of the fact that media plays an important role on issues  of national security. Media has the power to decide what the people should read, see or hear has never been in doubt.

However, it has been stated that the Vietnam War was compromised as a result of unfavorable media coverage leading to low levels of public support. In a democratic society, public support is key in the formulation and implementation of national policies (Momoh, J. , 2016, January 13). As a watchdog, the media plays an important role in investigating, alerting and reporting individuals, activities and practices that can endanger the safety of the nation. 

Finally, the security of any nation can be enhanced or truncated by communication channels; interpersonal relations, the traditional media, social media as well as others including music. Strategic communication enables and supports other aspects of national security in terms of policy planning and implementation. With the evolving communication patterns and technology such as social media, the government in conjunction with the traditional media also needs to evolve and adopt strategies that strengthen and safeguard the nation on both online and offline platforms without trumping individual liberties and privacy.