You Can’t Publish Details Of Everything That Goes On In Military -Prof Ikechukwu Cautions Media 

Professor Okey Ikechukwu has cautioned media practitioners against indiscriminate reporting of military activities, warning that the publication of sensitive operational details could undermine national security and aid criminal elements.

Speaking on the relationship between the media and national security, the don said irresponsible media conduct in recent times has manifested in the publication of false or unverified information, sensational reporting of security incidents for attention or commercial gain, and the disclosure of sensitive military information.

He also identified the use of inflammatory language capable of heightening public panic and ethnic tensions, as well as politically motivated, unbalanced reporting of security issues, as practices that endanger the nation.

According to him, the rapid expansion of online journalism and social media has made the spread of information and misinformation faster than ever, allowing inaccurate reports to reach millions of people within seconds before proper verification can be carried out.

He warned that such reports could compromise military operations by exposing troop movements, strategies and operational locations.

“That is why we teach budding journalists that national security information is not a media scoop and should not be treated as such,” he said.

“You cannot publish details of everything that goes on in the military because doing so may assist and empower criminal groups, insurgents and terrorists.”

Prof Ikechukwu further noted that the repeated circulation of inaccurate reports could erode public confidence in the Armed Forces and other security agencies, while negatively affecting the morale of soldiers working under difficult and dangerous conditions.

He added that false and misleading reports often create confusion and panic among citizens and could reinforce hostile propaganda that terrorist and criminal groups exploit to advance their objectives, stressing the need for responsible and balanced journalism in matters relating to national security.