Nigeria urges media to aid security, curb violent coverage

Senior Nigerian government officials have called on the media to act as partners in the nation's security efforts, urging journalists to avoid amplifying the actions of terrorists and criminals while highlighting the work of security forces. The appeals were made during a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja, organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), which concluded on Friday, June 19.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, speaking at the event, directly asked media organizations to stop giving prominent coverage to violent actors. "Please take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages," Idris said. "This is what they crave for free of charge." He argued that excessive reporting on criminal activities spreads fear and underplays the sacrifices of security personnel. Idris emphasized that the call was not for censorship but for responsible judgment, stating that national security is undermined when misinformation is amplified without verification or when legitimate public concerns are ignored.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, represented by his aide Chido...