The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, has urged journalists and other media professionals to uphold accuracy, proper verification and responsible reporting when covering security-related issues.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Victor Olaiya, gave the charge on Tuesday at a two-day media interaction organised by the zone in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The event, held in Abuja, is themed, “Reporting Security in the Digital Age: Curtailing Misinformation, Preventing Panic and Upholding Fact-Based Journalism in Nigeria.”
Olaiya said the rapid growth of digital platforms had transformed the way information was produced and consumed, but had also increased the risks associated with the spread of unverified information, particularly on security matters.
He said, “In matters of security, information is not merely information; it can influence perception, shape behaviour, build confidence or, if mishandled, create fear and uncertainty.”
The AIG noted that news reports, photographs, videos and voice recordings could go viral within seconds, sometimes before their authenticity and context were properly established.
He warned that the publication of unverified information could create unnecessary fear and distort public understanding of security situations.
“An unverified report can generate unnecessary panic. A misleading headline can distort public perception. An old photograph presented as a current event can create the impression of a new security incident,” he said.
Olaiya, however, emphasised that responsible journalism could play a significant role in maintaining public confidence and promoting stability during security challenges.
“It can calm rather than alarm. It can clarify rather than confuse. It can inform rather than mislead. And it can strengthen public confidence rather than undermine it,” he said.
According to him, the police and the media have different professional responsibilities but share a common interest in ensuring that Nigerians have access to credible information.
“The public deserves timely, accurate and responsible information. The media, on the other hand, has the important responsibility of ensuring that information presented to the public is properly sourced, verified and placed within the appropriate context,” Olaiya said.
He said the media interaction was designed to strengthen the relationship between the police and journalists, while providing an avenue for both sides to better understand their respective challenges and responsibilities.
He urged participants to use the programme to identify communication gaps, address misconceptions and develop practical strategies for countering misinformation.
“Where communication gaps exist, we must identify them. Where misinformation emerges, we must confront it with facts. Where there are misconceptions, we must provide clarity. And where there are opportunities for stronger collaboration, we must take advantage of them,” he said.
The AIG assured journalists that Zone 7 would continue to maintain an open and professional relationship with the media, stressing that the police welcomed responsible scrutiny.
“Our objective is not to create a relationship where difficult questions are avoided. Rather, we seek a relationship where difficult questions can be asked responsibly and answered constructively,” he said.
He added that public trust could only be sustained when institutions respond to scrutiny with transparency and factual information.
“Trust is not built by avoiding scrutiny; it is built by responding to scrutiny with professionalism, transparency and facts,” Olaiya said.
He called on journalists to ensure that verification remained a critical part of their reporting process, particularly before publishing sensitive security information.
“Let us work towards a communication environment where facts travel faster than rumours, verification precedes publication, context accompanies information, and responsible journalism contributes to public safety,” he said.
DCP CALLS FOR STRONGER POLICE-MEDIA COLLABORATION
Also speaking, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, DCP Uduak Otu Ita, welcomed participants to the programme on behalf of the management and personnel of the zone.
The DCP described the interaction as an important platform for bringing law enforcement personnel and media practitioners together to exchange ideas, understand each other’s professional challenges and strengthen their working relationship.
He said the media played an influential role in shaping public understanding of security issues, making continuous professional engagement between journalists and security agencies necessary.
DCP Ita urged participants to take full advantage of the sessions by asking questions, sharing experiences and interacting with the resource persons.
“Participate. Connect. Ask questions. Share experiences. Listen to one another,” he said.
He also encouraged journalists to document and share the activities of the programme with their audiences, saying media professionals had a responsibility to tell the story of initiatives aimed at improving security communication.
“As media professionals, you are also storytellers. Take us with you beyond this room. Share the experience from your own perspective, let your audiences see the conversations taking place, the ideas being exchanged, the exhibitors showcasing their work and the different activities that make this interaction unique,” he said.
The DCP disclosed that arrangements had also been made for participants to access basic health services during the programme, including vital signs checks and eye examinations, with reading glasses to be provided where necessary.
He commended the resource persons, facilitators, sponsors, partners, professional bodies and members of the planning team for their contributions to the organisation of the event.
The two-day interaction brings together journalists, media professionals, police officers, representatives of the NUJ, the International Institute of Journalism and other professional bodies, as well as sponsors and partners.
The organisers said the programme was aimed at promoting accurate security reporting, reducing the spread of misinformation and building stronger professional ties between the Nigeria Police Force and the media.
The event is being held under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, with AIG Victor Olaiya serving as host.
