Army Seeks Stronger Media Partnership for Balanced Security Reporting

The General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Babalola Adebayo, has urged defence correspondents to strengthen their partnership with the military to promote balanced and accurate reporting of security operations.

Adebayo made the call when the Association of Defence Correspondents of Nigeria, ADCON, paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of 81 Division.

The GOC said the media remained one of the military’s most important partners, stressing that journalists should seek clarification from the Army before publishing information that could be inaccurate or misleading.

“You are one of the most important sectors that we, the military, must partner with,” Adebayo said. “Balancing reportage is very key. Bad news goes faster.”

He said negative security reports often attract greater public attention and may be repeated even after the situation has changed, urging journalists to consider the broader picture when reporting security developments.

Adebayo also encouraged defence correspondents to approach the division whenever they need clarification on military activities or operations.

“Our doors are open. Rather than carrying the wrong narrative, you can anytime ask us, ‘This is what we had’ or ‘This is what we want to do.’ Then we will give you our own side of the story. Then you can now balance it for us,” he said.

The GOC said the division would make senior and experienced officers available to interface with journalists, adding that regular engagement would help both sides understand each other better.

He also said the security situation had improved “tremendously” over the past three to four months, urging the media to reflect such developments in their coverage while maintaining its responsibility to scrutinize the military.

Adebayo stressed the importance of reporting military operations with an understanding of the conditions under which troops operate, noting that many personnel serve in difficult environments in the interest of national security.

“We should look at the bigger picture,” he said, adding that members of the armed forces are Nigerians who serve across the country out of patriotism and a commitment to protecting citizens.

Earlier, ADCON Chairman Philip Nwosu explained the purpose of the visit and outlined the association’s activities.

Nwosu said defence correspondents were committed to accurate and balanced reporting of the military while maintaining their responsibility to hold public authorities accountable for their actions and inactions.

He said stronger engagement between the military and the media would promote better understanding and improve the quality of national security reporting.

Senior officers of 81 Division attended the meeting.