The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, has urged the media to galvanize support among the populace for the
war on terrorism, which he described as a major challenge facing the nation.
''The war against terrorism is not a war for the military
alone but for all Nigerians. The media must reflect this in their reporting and
galvanize the people to know that it is not just a battle against a few
insurgents but a war for the very survival of our nation,'' the Minister said
when he met representatives of media professional bodies in Abuja on Friday.
He said it is important for the media to report the fact
that the military has turned the tide against the insurgents, degrading their
ability to carry out spectacular attacks and retaking captured territories,
''thus paving the way for displaced persons to gradually return to their homes,
for schools that have been destroyed to be rebuilt and for pupils who could not
go to school to do so''.
Alhaji Mohammed also stressed the need for the media ''not
to remain on the fence'' over the issue of national unity.
''Apart from the challenge of terrorism, there is also the
issue of national unity. If anything, we have taken our unity for granted and
have not made a conscious and concerted effort to constantly service and
strengthen it.
''Unfortunately, what started as a crack is now widening
into a gorge. The media must not remain on the fence when the issue of our
national unity is involved. They must carry out their duties in such a way that
will unite, rather than divide our people. Our unity is fragile, and the
fragility comes into the open at a time of economic downturn as we have now. We
cannot afford to be neutral on the issue of national unity,'' he said.
The Minister assured that the government would work with the
media in the interest of the country.
''For example, we are working on forging a partnership
between the government and the media that will see military and intelligence
chiefs interfacing with you to give you first hand information on the progress
of the war against terrorism.
''We believe it is important to carry the media along,
because if you are well informed about the war, you will be in a better
position to inform Nigerians about it. In this regard, you will hear more from
us in the days to come,'' he said.
Alhaji Mohammed assured that under his watch, the Ministry
of Information and Culture will ensure that the media get timely and accurate
information from the government, saying ''if you run into any roadblock while
seeking information from any government establishment, kindly notify us''.
He hailed the media for effectively playing their watchdog
role during the last elections that saw the opposition ousting the ruling party
for the first time in the history of our country.
''Whereas a few media establishments fell short during the
last elections, jettisoning professionalism on the altar of political
expediency, the media largely availed themselves creditably by maintaining
their professional integrity,'' the Minister said.
Segun Adeyemi
SA to Hon. Minister of Information and Culture
Abuja
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