By Folayimika Akanbi
The Directorate of the Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Protection in the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to develop guidelines aimed at midwifing media coverage of telecommunications and other critical service providers.
The Director of the directorate, Air Vice Marshal Effiom, made the plea when he led a delegation from his office to the NUJ National Secretariat in Abuja.
Wind Gate News reports that discussions, during the visit, centred on the role of journalists in protecting critical infrastructure, promoting national security and ensuring that the public receives accurate and verified information.
Effiom expressed concern over the spread of misleading information, particularly reports involving telecommunications and other service providers, noting that inaccurate or unsubstantiated claims could misinform the public and undermine confidence in the country.
Effiom urged journalists to uphold professional standards by conducting thorough investigations and verifying information before publication or broadcast.
He sought collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to promote responsible reporting, curb misinformation and strengthen public awareness of issues relating to critical national infrastructure.
The NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, who received the delegation, appreciated the team for recognising the Union as a strategic partner in advancing national security and the public interest.
Yahya assured the delegation of the Union’s willingness to collaborate with the Directorate, stressing that responsible journalism remains essential to national development, public enlightenment and the promotion of the country’s collective interests.
He expressed the NUJ’s commitment to supporting initiatives that would strengthen professional journalism and position journalists as agents of positive change in the media industry and the country at large.
Also speaking, the NUJ National Secretary, Mr Achike Chude, emphasised the need for a clear framework to guide the proposed collaboration.
He highlighted the importance of structured engagement between the Union and the Directorate, as well as capacity-building programmes to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills required to report effectively on critical national assets, infrastructure protection and related security issues.
The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to explore areas of mutual cooperation, with a shared commitment to promoting accurate, ethical and responsible journalism in support of national security and the public interest.
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