freedom of press vs the security of a nation.
Let me start by saying I am kool with the idea of having a free press and as far as I am concern it is a good thing or the best thing that can happen to a nation, having the citizens know exactly what is happening, but that as well can be detrimental to the security of the nation, this thought came to me when I read an article about some jet bombers that arrived Abuja and were set to head to Bauchi on a rescue Mission, and I wondered if that expose is not telling the terrorist the next step that is being taken against them, yea they may get the information from other sources but for me i think its better we keep it to ourselves than telling the enemy what we are up to, well I did this in an unprofessional way as am not a trained Journalist or a security expert but I got an article that dealt with this topic to some extend.
It should be right to say We are Nigerians first before we are journalists or whatever proffession we choose giving out information that will hurt Nigeria may actually turn out to be an information that may hurt you as well, so watch what you tell the world about your neighbour's house or you may just end up oppening your own house for attack as well.
Read the main articles below and comment.....
ANALYSIS
The dastardly terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden's Al' Qaeda on September 11, 2001, which brought down the twin towers of the World Trade Centre, have forever changed the attitude of nations across the world to terrorism.
Many have had to adopt robust but difficult proactive measures to tackle terrorism and protect national security. In some instances, their citizens have also given up certain freedoms in order to aid their countries' anti-terrorism efforts.
On October 1, 2010, during the celebration of her 50th independence anniversary at the Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria experienced terrorist attacks from yet unidentified sources that left several dead, many injured and threw the nation into a state of anxiety over its security. Although the loss of lives and property at the Eagle Square bombings were on a lesser scale than the September 11 disaster in New York, it was no less reprehensible and presented Nigeria's security agencies with a crisis of almost equal proportions.
In laudable actions since then, Nigeria has adopted robust counter-terrorism measures. These measures include the appointment of a special adviser on terrorism to President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill by the House of Representatives. There have also been shake-ups, dismissals and redeployments in Nigeria's security and military agencies. All these actions are commendable, have yielded results, and, more importantly, are part of a continuous and sustained effort to make Nigeria safer. However, the most recent strategy adopted by Nigeria's national security adviser, General Owoye Andrew Azazi, is brilliant and will go a long way in safeguarding the nation's security.
As opposed to the dark days of military rule in Nigeria where there were obnoxious undemocratic decrees such as Decree 4 which brutally suppressed freedom of speech and information, Nigeria's recent return to democracy has given the press, as well as its citizens, more freedom to share information. As an aside, it is noteworthy and ironic that General Muhammadu Buhari who enacted Decree 4, with which he arbitrarily clamped journalists into detention for publishing stories which were true but deemed embarrassing to his military regime, is a contestant in Nigeria's upcoming presidential elections.
While seemingly devoid of obvious opportunities with which terrorists can foment trouble, the somewhat-new freedoms currently being enjoyed by Nigerians (with regard to the sharing of information and free speech) could very well endanger the country if not properly managed. Especially with the preponderance of internet blogs, privately-owned newspapers, independent online media news websites and self-appointed but untrained journalists, Nigeria's national security could be unwittingly compromised if its citizens are not educated on their role in safeguarding national security.
It is in light of this that the recent security and media parley organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser to intimate journalists of their roles in safeguarding Nigeria's national security (with an eye on the 2011 general elections) was held in Abuja. While the average Nigerian may fail to grasp issues bordering on national security, members of the fourth estate of the realm should know better and be able to take decisions regarding information in the best interest of the nation.
A stitch in time, it is said, saves nine; this effort by Nigeria's NSA, which will hopefully be sustained, will save Nigeria from itself and make the nation safe for its citizens as well as for the foreigners who visit it or make it their home. Too many a time, Nigeria has been the butt of jokes in the international intelligence community because sensitive information affecting its national security had been easily sourced from leading Nigerian newspapers and other media reports.
In the past, many journalists in their eagerness to break a story first (or win a prize for investigative reporting!) have committed serious errors of judgement by not crosschecking their facts or clearing them with the relevant security agencies. One case in point was the tussle over the Bakassi peninsula between Nigeria and Cameroon. Some Nigerian journalists published locations of Nigeria's military personnel and plans; this exposé was, of course, an open gift to the Cameroonian armed forces and it resulted in avoidable casualties on the Nigerian side. From West Point to Tel Aviv and all points in between, this compromised the security of Nigeria and cast her armed forces' security arrangements in a bad light.
The Nigerian mass media must be informed to know enough about security threats and their own responsibilities to make informed decisions about their potential contributions to national security. Editors and journalists in general must endeavour to clear stories that could compromise national security with the relevant security agencies. The import of rascality and disregard for national security could prove disastrous to any nation's anti-terrorism efforts. Nigerian journalists would do well not to abuse their freedoms, especially with the advent of the Freedom of Information Bill.
As newer threats to the peace and security of nations arise globally, we must be educated on the dangers of being ignorant of national security matters. An awareness of these issues and cooperation between members of the press and security agencies can save lives and even prevent nuclear wars! There must be a willingness by Nigerian pressmen, authors and journalists to contribute their quota to Nigeria's anti-terrorism efforts. Nigeria's position as one of the world's largest producers of crude oil has made it a target of terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda. Electioneering violence, home-grown terrorist threats from insurgent group Boko Haram and remnants of splinter cells from Niger Delta militant group MEND have joined to increase the workload of Nigeria's security agencies.
NSA Azazi has wisely sought the help of the media in fighting terrorism and insecurity by partnering to safeguard national security. Nigeria's media must learn to verify sources of "information" as there are local and foreign fifth columnists who seek to undermine the peace and security of the Nigerian nation. As Nigerian journalists recite Nigeria's national pledge, they must remember their solemn promise to "defend her unity, and uphold her honour and glory". Nigeria must be restored to its full glory and the peace and security of its citizens is a key factor towards ensuring economic growth by attracting foreign investors and encouraging local industries.
With the successes gained from the recently-held media and security parley for the 2011 general elections by the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nigeria is well on its way to ensuring its democracy and the security of its citizens' lives and property is vigorously protected. This is commendable and it is hoped that not only will this effort at engagement across board be unrelenting, but that other nations fighting the scourge of terrorism will learn from this.
Jibril contributed this piece from Damaturu
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