DAY GENERAL BURATAI TASKS THE MEDIA ON LEADING POSITIVE ATTITUDES CAMPAIGN FOR THE MILITARY

By Blogger;

Dressed in his smart Desert-Carmour khaki outfit, with some film of dust on his boot – a tell tale of one straight from the frontline, Tukur Yusuf Buratai, a Lieutenant General,  walked into a hall at the Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri where Army Public Relations Officers were rounding off the 3rd Quarterly Study Period to declared the session closed.

It was actually supposed to be his second visit to the hall for the same event. But the combat General who was supposed to declare the event opened three days back,  chose to be in the bush somewhere in Yobe state to personally  supervise what his troops there are doing in respect of the ongoing counterinsurgency operation he was leading. 

The APR  Study Period , according to Acting Director APR, Colonel Sani Usman, is some kind of refresher training session that ought to hold every quarter of the year. But until Buratai revived it upon his assumption of office as  Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff four months ago, it was held only once since the idea was birthed years back. 

Many academically researched papers were presented by a cross section army Generals and very senior officers - both serving and retired - as well as dons from the academia. Those that were not able to make it to Maiduguri sent their representations to deliver their papers. But General Buratai chose to hold onto his paper which he intended to deliver personally. Characterically,  the  COAS enjoys having interface with his officers and men; which has been his style of leadership.  

Buratai did not only want his thought process

 as contained in the paper he was to present, to impart directly into the mind-set of the soldiers who manage the image of the army, but also to use the opportunity to address the nation’s media on how not to report a counterinsurgency operation that must be ended within a time frame given by Abuja. 

Although the presidential deadline, according former Nigeria President, General Olusegun Obasanjo,  was not an order cast on stone; but rather a motivation  for soldiers to a neefeful result under a time frame, the members of tge Nigerian public had persistently taken the military to task on the deadline. 

The Army Chief had to sort out this issue with the media and was ready to do this deploying his historical, intellectual and professional wits to that effect. 

He was blunt and straight as he hit the nail on its head when he looked straight into the camera lens and said “it is no longer the soldiers who tells whether the battle was won or lost but the media.... He quickly added that the media (online and social) should  rather be seen to be leading in the campaign for a positive attitude towards the military rather than resorting to act in manners that question whose interest they were actually  serving. 

The army was actually not pleased with the  barrage of arm-chair criticism and assessment being made by some online journalists about the achievability or otherwise of the December deadline to end Boko Haram. 

In his paper titled CONTEMPORARY WARFARE AND WAR REPORTING: THE DILEMMA OF MILITARY LEADERSHIP, Buratai referenced the thoughts of Toffler who once said that “The people thinking hardest about warfare in the future know that some of the most important combat of tomorrow will take place on the media battlefield.” 

Lt General. Buratai (2nd right)
Flanked by Theater Commander OP.Lafiya DOLE
(Right) and ADAPR (left) @ the 3rd Qtr APR Study Period

Going straight into his presentation that was eloquently delivered,  the Borno state born son of a veteran soldier averred that “Contemporary warfare refers to the prevailing pattern of political and violent conflicts in the post-cold war era. It is mostly intra-state in nature, often between the state and subversive elements seeking to establish parallel authorities or contesting territorial integrity and sovereignty. 

“The theatre of war is changing with belligerents increasingly undertaking military operations in densely populated urban areas, resulting in high levels of civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.  The contemporary battle space, thus, involves semi-functioning governments, spoilers, criminal gangs, international groups, and terrorists many of whom feel no obligation to abide by international law or international human rights law.  

“The operational environment is dynamic, fluid and turbulent with complicit neighbours, illicit economies and large victimisation of civilians both consequent of conflicts and cause of its persistence.  Marshal Saxe described “war”, as “a science replete with shadows in whose obscurity no one moves with assurance.”  Whatever the fog of warfare, military leadership has a responsibility ‘to conquer and destroy the armed power of the enemy; take away his material and other sources of strength; and to gain public opinion.’  Support of the media is key in attainment of the latter; this is the domain of war reporting.

“War reporting, refers to media coverage of military operations in pursuit of national interest.  It embraces coverage of the warfare by the print, electronic (radio and television) and Internet-based platforms.  The Internet has broadened the spectrum for real time reportage of warfare sometimes by amateurs whose opinions cannot be ignored. From about 147 reporters who accompanied the D – Day landing in World War II, the 1300 reporters in Kuwaiti theatre in the Desert Storm of 1991, to the access granted to journalists in Op LAFIYA DOLE, the desire of the news media to cover military operations continue to grow exponentially.  

“The media is the pivot of public support most crucial for victory and also attracts international attention in aid of humanitarian efforts.  The media’s focus on the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and refugees in the North East (NE) is commendable.  Yet the media is a double-edged sword that must be handled with caution. The CNN Effect can change policies. For instance, reports that Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons led to Gulf War II in 2003. Using the same CNN, Jeff Koinange, staged and contrived reports about the Niger Delta militants while in his preachments of sanctions against Nigeria in 2007 before he was exposed and subsequently fired. The initial reactions to his reports then, was a perception of hopelessness amongst viewers on the ability of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to contain or defeat the militants. 

“We can therefore understand how such singular orchestration could have undermined the commanders on the ground as well as operations planners at higher levels. It is therefore obvious, that managing war reporting in contemporary warfare poses a dilemma for military leadership. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to discuss how to balance war reporting in contemporary warfare to enhance national security.  It will cover the NA media strategy, role of the media in national security and the dilemma of military leadership. Thereafter, it shall identify a few challenges and suggest strategies for a balanced war reporting.

AIM

“The aim of this paper is to examine war reporting in contemporary warfare with a view to making recommendations.

NIGERIAN ARMY MEDIA STRATEGY

The focus of NA media strategy is to ensure timely dissemination of information that reflect operational priorities and objectives to the public through periodic briefings and interviews, press releases, publication of the Soja Magazine and formation journals, and constant update of NA social media platforms (Facebook and tweeter accounts).  At all times the purpose is to identify the target audience, and develop key messages that support mission priorities and disseminate such through the most appropriate medium. To achieve this, the NA has a spokesperson at AHQ with assistants in all the formations and theatres of operation.  These officers work with defence correspondents to provide first hand information, additional to my Director Army Public Relations media briefings.  In line with global best practices, we often get journalists to have a feel of the realities in the front and give real time reportage. 

In the on-going counter-insurgency warfare (CIW), the NA Media Strategy is executed in collaboration with our counterparts in sister security agencies and in line with National Orientation Agency (NOA) objectives. Suffice to say that NA media operations strategy is a strand of national media war to gain public support in the CIW. In this regard, I issued the information and psychological operations Directive for Op LAFIYA DOLE immediately I assumed office in July this year. The objectives of the Directive are to embark on intensive information and psychological operations to further degrade and eventually destroy BHTs, win public opinion to the side of the military and ensure BHTs abandon their negative ideology and also required to knockout BHTs propaganda machinery. The NA strategy driven by these objectives has made remarkable impact on the perception of Nigerians as well as reportage by the media while the BHTs public domain visibility has been substantially diminished.

THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN NATIONAL SECURITY

The media is vital in every society as its ombudsman. Its traditional role is to inform, educate, enlighten, entertain, investigate and draw public attention to issues of interest. Modern technology and social media revolution has deepened and broadened the scope and tempo of the media in favour of the populace. These roles are equally crucial during warfare in support of national interest.  The tasks of the media in war reporting are hereby highlighted.

Public Education. The media has a duty to enlighten the public on the true situation in national war effort to guarantee national security.  The report must focus on national unifying factors, emphasising the desired end state of the Armed Forces, which is to safeguard public good.  In the on-going war on terror for example, the media must focus on atrocities of BHT, the monumental humanitarian consequences and promote efforts of the NA and other security agencies in bringing the carnage to stop. This outweighs narrow compulsions of local and international media houses and individual reporters.

Mass Mobilisation. The electronic, print and social media are crucial in mobilising the citizenry to pursue a common goal.  Lessons from the recent Arab Spring showed that the social media was used to mobilise the youth to condemn excesses of sit-tight governments in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen.  Politicians have equally used the social media to gain support during elections in Nigeria. In Nigeria, the media played a crucial role in bringing change in governance by extolling the invaluable uprightness of the character of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR. The media was the main catalyst for the change we are having now. This weapon can also be effectively employed to mobilise the people in warfare reporting, which is a cardinal element of national security effort.  

Naming and Shaming Anti-State Elements. The media as the forth estate of the realm, must expose, condemn, name and shame local and foreign elements that threaten public safety.  In this regard, the media must be the vanguard in revealing actions of terrorists like BH adherents and condemning what they represent.  Individuals that support such actions must be put to shame through thorough investigation and reporting.  Incumbent in this, is the need to eulogise our war heroes, whose efforts create an enabling environment for preserving public peace.

Promoting Human Rights. Leading the crusade for the promotion of human rights, moral and anti-corruption in all aspects of warfare is a key aspect of media obligation to the society.  This must be factual, timely and dispassionate. As the conscience of the society, the media must focus objectively on ways to enhance war efforts by revealing areas that will promote actions of the troops.    

THE DILEMMA OF MILITARY LEADERSHIP

1Today the question whether the media will cover military operation no longer exists.  Regardless of the mission, the media will be interested in the drama, uncertainty and emotion.  The military leadership need the media to tell its story. The paradox is that uninformed media coverage could be very devastating to warfare.

 It is commonplace that the adversary monitors the media and interprets images, video clips and news items to its advantage. Inability to recognise and counter enemy usage of the media could lead to avoidable military failure.  The media, for instance, could have a good intention when it reports that troops have been re-equipped with modern weapons and types, but such news items reveal the current disposition of our forces to the adversary who will seek higher capabilities to neutralize the new equipment.  The negative consequences of reports of lost territories on troops morale are overwhelming and commanders prefer to down play (not hide) such drawbacks in order to sustain the tempo required to counter enemy action. Consequently, military expectations from the media could be summed as follows:

a. Factual public information.

b. Winning the hearts and minds of the masses.

c. Safe-guarding operations security, secrecy and safety.

d. Preserving the dignity and integrity of the military.

e. Upholding national security concerns.

f. Understanding the security predicament of the state in the developing world.

g. Acknowledging the level of awareness and knowledge base of military commanders and personnel.

The media, on the contrary wants instant news and its competitive drive make every media house seek to lead in giving “Breaking News”.  As commanders we are conscious of media interests in modern warfare in areas like:

a. Excessive civilian casualty or property damage (that is collateral damage).

b. Fratricidal issues.

c. Violent conflicts or one-sided conflicts leading to sexual exploitation and abuse, genocide, looting, murder, ill-treatment of prisoners of war, IDPs and refugees, damage of antiquities  excessive cruelty as a weapon as exemplified by ISIL and BHTs.

d. Existence of appearance of lack of operational control.

e. Civilians blaming the military for lack of food, fuel, water, medical care, and other essential services.

f. Civil-Military dis-agreements.

g. Casualty figures, projected and actual.

The huge humanitarian challenges of modern warfare, has incensed media motivation in war reporting to penetrate the frontlines more than ever before.  This tendency ignores military concerns for operations security and often compromise national interest. The dilemma of the military leadership thus is that some media practitioners who ought to aid the war efforts, fires as  loose cannons serving unclear purposes. This often results in troops and journalists being at the crossroads despite pursuing a common goal of public safety.  The challenge lies in identifying a balance for exploiting the power of the media as a weapon of war while retaining operational security before the laws of war and ethics of service. 

16. One of the ways of resolving this dilemma is availability of media policy which is a vital to guide all stakeholders.  The absence or non-adherence to media policies undermines war reporting. It was in recognition of this fact that I issued the Information and Psychological Operations Directive which outlined the NA’s media objectives on information management for Op LAFIYA DOLE as alluded to earlier. Another way of addressing this dilemma is retaining public support for war efforts in national interest.  The media must be guided by the military’s desire to win the hearts and minds of the people in its reportage and acknowledgement of military concerns for operations security. 

CHALLENGES

Negative Application of Information Communication Technology. Recent developments in information communications technology (ICT) have changed both the nature of contemporary warfare and war reporting.  The decreasing cost of communications and an explosion of media have led to real time reportage of military operations.  Since the Gulf War of 1991, cable television channels broadcast live television from Iraq’s capital while under attack, showing missiles from points of take off to impact. There has been tremendous improvement over the years with social media providing video clips and images that can make or mar missions. Today Internet is available nationwide and has been used by even amateur journalists to report actions in the war space. According to Col Campen of the US Army, “Risks to military operations from instant reporting are not contrived. Communication satellite technology has eliminated a principal means by which the military was able to monitor and control the flow of news from  the battlefield.”  

I must observe that most of the reports were unverified, uncorroborated and unprocessed, thus inimical to the goals of the troops.  Some international NGOs may have relied on such sources to malign the NA’s efforts in the North East.  This calls for a conscious and positive application of ICT in pursuit of overall national interest.

Prejudice Against the Military. Some scholars perceive the media as prejudicial towards the military. The argument being that journalists are generally from the larger society especially in developing countries that have had a taste of military rule with their attendant undemocratic practices and lack of respect for human rights. Subsequent democratisation processes become rife with journalists crusading for certain causes against the perceived military might now subordinated to civil authorities. This perception was compounded by the views of Robert Kaplan, that, “the military—particularly at the level of NCOs, who are the guardians of its culture and traditions—is a world of beer, cigarettes, instant coffee, and chewing tobacco. It is composed of people who hunt and use profanity as an element of ordinary speech.”  Seeing troops as inferior and outsiders lead to disregard for their esteem, their dignity and sadly their sacrifice.  This situation motivates reporters to air inimical news items about troops without seeking clarification from the later.  The class prejudice could be overcome through change of attitude and we all need to work on that.  

Undermining Operational Security. The fact that some media reports could undermine operations security, has already been highlighted.  Media interest on large movement of troops, command failings, humanitarian crises and compulsions to be leaders in “Breaking News” often compromise operational end state.  Unprofessional war often divulge far greater details than desirable in warfare.  Several media houses have erred in the past and it is our duty to use this sort of forum to consider best practices for mutual benefit.

Credibility Deficit of some Media Houses. A trend that is equally worthy of attention is credibility deficit of some media houses in war coverage.  While many media houses remain impartial, some yield to sectional appeals, rendering reports to feed their persuasions.  Spreading propaganda clips of extremists, downplaying successes of the NA and dwelling on government failings are some of the manifestations of this group in the on-going CIW in the country.  The trend impinges on the credibility of the journalism profession and makes military leaders circumspect in media relations.  As leaders in your field, the onus lie on you to curb this perversion of your core values in the interest of the nation.

PROSPECTS

The relationship between the media and the military is not entirely gloomy as there are bright prospects for healthy interaction.  Both institutions know they need each other and the media requires secure environment to operate, which can only be guaranteed by the military.  The social media equally offers bright prospect for war reportage by the media and the military.

The Media and the Military need Each Other. There is a consciousness that both the media and the military need each other.  The media’s responsibility to inform, educate and enlighten the public of war efforts requires the cooperation of the military.  Similarly, the military’s desire to win the hearts and minds of the populace calls for media support.  Mutual respect would greatly enhance the attainment of each other’s goal and avenues of this nature need to be more regular to enable us understand our common purposes so that we can better manage our differences also.

The Media requires Access and Protection. Another prospect for good relationship is that the media requires access and protection in war reporting.  These needs can only be met by the military.  The military has sustained the practice of conveying journalists to the front.  Patrols and some administrative flights are also conducted with correspondents on board.  These are good prospects that must be sustained for improved war reporting. 

Maximising Social Media Platforms. The Social Media offers users unfettered access to the public.  For the military, it is a great opportunity to tell our story ourselves and receive input from numerous followers. If we do not tell our story ourselves, others would do so their own way. The NA Facebook and Twitter accounts have large followers and is being used to counter unprofessional journalism. The media must ensure a high level of professionalism to remain credible in war reporting.

STRATEGIES

Positive Application of Information Communication Technology. The consequences of negative application of ICT in war reporting are monumental and need to be addressed.  Although this is often discussed in conferences, little is being done to enforce existing national cyber-security laws.  The media must lead the vanguard for the enforcement of laws guiding the use of the Internet for journalistic purposes.  While governments grant freedom to use the Internet, the media must ensure that infrastructural capacity and requisite skills exist in the industry.  On its part, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) must institute relevant measures to identify and hold users accountable.  The FGN must on its part sanction individuals found culpable for inimical and inciting publications in the net.

Overcoming Prejudice Against the Military. The perception that the media is prejudicial against the military affects war reporting by correspondents.  This calls for change of attitude towards the soldier, appreciating his sacrifice and discipline in the service to our beloved fatherland.  Let me use this opportunity to state that most of our personnel in the NE have not had the opportunity of seeing their loved ones for several months which is a huge sacrifice. It is on this premise that I believe the media should lead the crusade for Nigerians to take ownership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. We are proud to be Nigerians and Nigerians should be proud of their soldiers. The media must, therefore, lead the campaign for a positive attitude towards the men at arms rather than denigrate them on the slightest provocation. 

Promoting Operational Security.

The need for operations security must be the uppermost consideration in war reporting.  To avoid the unwholesome effects of unprofessional reportage, the media must clear from military public relations officers aspects of war activities that merit publication. Deliberate efforts must be made to avoid sensational reportage.  Above all, the media must be guided by the consciousness that they are stakeholders in the pursuit of national security.

Ensuring Credibility of Media Houses. Curbing credibility deficit in war reporting is of greater essence now than ever before in view of the humanitarian challenges of contemporary warfare.  The media must emplace professional ombudsman to identify, ‘name and shame’ bad eggs in its fold.  This is at the heart of true journalism and must be guarded at institutional and individual levels.  Media houses must address the needs of their staff and correspondents must rise above board in the face of inordinate distractions.  The local media must appreciate that Nigeria, like other Third World countries, is a growing nation. The media must, therefore, defy actions of sections of the international press to condemn everything in the country.

The NA media strategy focuses on timely dissemination of information that reflect operational priorities and objectives to the public through periodic briefings and interviews, press releases and social media platforms, among others.  The media is vital in every society for informing, educating, enlightening, entertaining, investigating and drawing public attention to issues of interest.  In war reporting, the media further helps in mobilising public support and espousing troops efforts for national security.  The dilemma of the military leadership is, however, that the media which ought to aid the war efforts fires rather as a lose cannon serving indeterminate purposes. This often results in troops and journalists being at the crossroads.  

The issues at stake are media policy, retaining public support and the need for professionalism in the media to aid war efforts in national interest.  Acknowledgement of military concerns for operations security is another key issue of prime attention.  In the light of the above, the challenges of effective war reporting include, negative application of ICT, class prejudice against the military, undermining operations security and credibility deficit of some media houses in war coverage.  Despite these challenges, there are bright prospects for cordial relations between the military and the media. Both institutions need each other and the media requires military protection during war reportage. The social media equally offers bright prospect for war reportage by the media and the military.  To overcome the challenges, positive application of ICT is essential in war reporting.  Other strategies include, campaigning for a positive attitude towards the men at arms, consciousness of operations security and ensuring credibility by the media in war reporting.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that:

a. The media should ensure positive application of ICT tools in war reporting. 

b. The FGN should institute measures to make Internet users accountable and sanction individuals found culpable.

c. The media should lead the campaign for a positive attitude towards the military.

d. The media should be guided by the consciousness of operational security in war reporting to enhance national security.

e. The media should ensure credibility of the institution in war reporting.

Thank You all!