Military should make maximum use of media space – Ndace

Director General of Nigeria’s external broadcaster, Voice of Nigeria, VON, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has called Nigeria’s Armed Forces to take full advantage of the advent of the robust media space to keep Nigerians abreast of their feats.

The VON boss spoke as a guest lecturer at the Nigerian Naval War College in Calabar, Cross River State, on the topic, “Strenthening Military – Media Collaboration: A Strategic Imperative for the Nigerian Navy’.

“The military should take advantage of the media space to shape the narrative by letting the public know of the various achievements taken to ensure Nigeria and Africa as a whole enjoy peace.

“There should be layers of engagements with the media from the reporters on the field to the top media echelons in the offices. It is essential for the military to engage journalists to create a better understanding of operations of the Armed Forces,” he said.

Ndace urged the military to forge an enhanced symbiotic relationship with the media as part of efforts to build public trust and support.

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He underscored the significance of a robust relationship between the military and the Media.

Ndace noted that the current media space, which has expanded due to the advent of social media and citizens’ journalism.

Ndace who covered the military beat as a correspondent advised journalists to have deeper knowledge of the defense beat and other military operations.

He said this would enable them to have better grasp of the activities and sacrifices made by the Nigerian Armed Forces for the country.

“The military must have a media plan, embed journalists in the combat zone, which would enable the reporter tell the story and build trust between military and media personnel. The military in Africa must be assertive and deliberate.”