By Tony Okafor
A few days ago, I attended a meeting convened by a security agency whose identity I would rather not disclose for obvious reasons. The central theme of the engagement was Nigeria’s worsening security situation and the role of the media in addressing it.
The security officials argued that journalists, knowingly or unknowingly, sometimes contribute to the spread of insecurity through misinformation, sensational reporting, and stories that create fear and panic among the public.
Their concern was understandable. Information is powerful. When misused, it can inflame tensions, embolden criminals, and deepen public anxiety.
However, one particular submission caught my attention. A speaker argued that even when a story is true, it should not be reported if it has the potential to instil fear among the public. According to him, suppressing such reports would help “recover Nigeria.”
That proposition deserves careful scrutiny.
I agree that the media must exercise responsibility. Journalists should verify facts, avoid sensationalism, and ensure that their reports do not inadvertently aid criminal elements. Misinformation and disinformation are dangerous and must be vigorously tackled.
Yet, asking journalists to suppress verified facts simply because they may cause fear strikes at the very foundation of journalism.
Truth is the hallmark of journalism. Remove truth and objectivity, and journalism becomes nothing more than propaganda. The duty of the press is not to manufacture comfort but to present verified facts fairly, accurately, and responsibly. Citizens cannot make informed decisions if the truth is withheld.
A responsible press does not create insecurity by reporting it. Rather, it exposes realities that demand urgent action from those entrusted with protecting lives and property. History has shown that national problems persist longer when they are concealed rather than confronted.
It was also disclosed at the meeting that measures had been put in place to arrest and prosecute purveyors of false information. This is a welcome development, provided such efforts target genuine offenders and not innocent citizens or journalists carrying out their constitutional duty.
The fight against fake news must never become an excuse to intimidate the press or to impress superiors with the refrain: “Oga, we are working.”
Security agencies also have a responsibility beyond law enforcement. They are uniquely positioned to advise political leaders on the true mood of the nation. They should honestly communicate the heartbeat of the people, especially the widespread economic hardship and hunger confronting millions of Nigerians.
In my view, insecurity cannot be divorced from economic realities. A hungry population is more vulnerable to crime, recruitment by criminal groups, and social unrest. If food and other basic necessities were affordable, many desperate Nigerians would choose honest labour over crime.
Addressing poverty and hunger would achieve far more than endless conferences, seminars, and workshops on insecurity. A nation that truly wants to win the fight against insecurity must also win the fight against poverty.
Nigeria certainly needs security. But it also needs truth. The choice should never be between national security and truthful journalism. Rather, the two should complement each other.
Security agencies must secure the nation, while journalists must continue to report the truth responsibly. That partnership—built on honesty, accountability, and the public interest—remains our best hope of building a safer, more democratic Nigeria.
