January 15th marks a significant day in Nigeria’s calendar – the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. This day is set aside to honour the gallantry and sacrifices of our military heroes, who have bravely defended our nation’s sovereignty, both within and outside our borders.
The Nigerian military has a rich history of valor and sacrifice, dating back to the pre-independence era. Our soldiers have fought in various international peacekeeping missions, including the Congo Crisis, the Liberian Civil War, and the Sierra Leone Civil War. They have also been instrumental in maintaining peace and security within our borders, particularly in the face of the Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges.
The sacrifices of our military personnel have ensured that social, economic, and political life can continue uninterrupted across the nation. They have risked their lives to protect us from the scourge of terrorism, banditry, and other forms of criminality. Their bravery, loyalty, and dedication to duty are qualities that we, as a nation, should be proud of.
However, the sacrifices of our military heroes are not limited to those who wear the uniform. Their loved ones – spouses, children, parents, and siblings – have also made immense sacrifices by giving them to the service of the fatherland. They are husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters to many of us.
The absence of a breadwinner, the loss of a loved one, and the uncertainty of their safety are just a few of the challenges that military families face. It is our collective responsibility as a nation to appreciate and support these families.
One of the ways of doing this is by being cautious about falling into the trap of glorifying the guns that they go to confront for our sake daily.
Unfortunately, in recent times, we have witnessed a disturbing trend in the way some media practitioners report on security issues in Nigeria. This can be found commonly with our brothers in the electronic media. Rather than celebrating the gallantry and sacrifices of our military heroes, the (conscious or unconscious) amplification of the propaganda of bandits and terrorists has found a place in the news production format.
In trying to provide supplementary footage that accompany reports of criminal activity, it has become commonplace to settle for propaganda clips that terrorists have circulated to showcase their arsenal. It seems no thought is given anymore to the actual intent of the terrorists when they distribute such material.
This practice not only undermines the morale of our troops but also emboldens the enemy and puts our national security at risk. We must not forget that the primary responsibility of the media is to inform, educate, and entertain the public, not to promote the interests of terrorists and bandits. As a nation, we must rise to condemn this practice and encourage media practitioners to prioritise responsible reporting that promotes national security and stability.
Contextualising imagery is crucial when reporting on terrorism and criminality to avoid inadvertently helping to spread terrorist propaganda. Terrorists often use graphic images and videos of their actions and weaponry to spread fear, intimidate, and recruit. Without contextualising the imagery they chose; journalists contribute to the amplification of these messages.
Contextualising imagery provides accurate information about the events being reported. This helps to prevent misinformation and ensures that the public has a clear understanding of what is happening. There is really no justification using a video, supplied by terrorists, of a terrorist firing an anti-aircraft gun from a Hilux each time you are reporting a terrorism-related story. It is even more worrying because you don’t see the same attention being given to reportage of our military in similar reports.
The line between reporting and glorifying terrorists is not that thin, but it is crossed very often, nonetheless. To avoid falling into this trap, and to adhere to the goals of responsible reporting, such members of the media can consider focusing on the consequences of the actions, rather than the actors themselves.
Alternatively, the use of images that focus on resilience, recovery, and hope, rather than imagery specifically packaged by terrorists to convey capacity to create destruction chaos, or fear are very fitting substitutes and should by default be the first-choice materials. In doing so, journalists can help to undermine the terrorist narrative.
Responsible use of supplementary imagery and editorialising also helps maintain journalistic Integrity. By being mindful of the accuracy and impact of their reporting, journalists can be sure that the audience will have greater respect for the profession. By avoiding the promotion of terrorist ideologies, focusing on the consequences of terrorism, rather than the ideologies themselves, the media can also help to discourage vulnerable individuals from being radicalised.
The task of ensuring our loved ones come home safe is a collective one. It is not only their guns that keep them safe. Our actions play significant roles. Let them not die in vain so that we may remain in business.
As we celebrate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, let us honour the memory of our heroes by showing gratitude for their service. Let us celebrate their bravery, loyalty, and dedication to duty. Let us also remember their families, who have sacrificed so much for our nation’s peace and security. Importantly, let us also remember our own roles in maintaining national security and stability.
Abdul, a former soldier, media practitioner and communication consultant, wrote from Wuse 2, Abuja.
