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The former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai (Rtd), has praised new media as an instrument for good governance and the growth of democracy because of its potential to hold politicians accountable.
Ambassador Buratai made the statement in Abuja during the 2023 Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP). Represented by his Special Adviser on Research and Documentation and Acting Director, Tukur Buratai Research Centre, Dr. MS Abubakar, the former Army Chief stated that he has always valued the vitality of online media in their reach, penetration, speed, and durability. In his words: As we all consider the media to be the fourth estate of the realm, then the online component of the media should be compared to the Infantry Corps of an Army.
To an Army, the Infantry is the Queen of Battle. Therefore I see the Online Publisher as the Queen of the Media. Real power revolves around the Queen.” General Buratai went on to say that, unlike traditional or print media, online media can reach millions of people all over the world in minutes with just one click.
Because of its low cost, he maintained that online media has made a big contribution to informing, educating, and entertaining the general people. While praising the adaptability of online media, Buratai pointed out some undesirable developments, such as the extensive use of propaganda, half-truths, manufactured lies, and fake news, as unintended repercussions of the development. He urged the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers to put a stop to those who violate its corporate objectives by standing firm and ensuring that all practitioners in the online media adhere to ethical standards and professionalism.
“I have a firm conviction that online media is a genuine instrument for the consolidation of our nation’s social fabric, the promotion of forward movement, the maintenance of peace and security, and the growth of our economy. “Therefore, GOCOP should continue to assist us in sanitizing and standardizing the online media space to make it healthier and more effective.
“This vital domain will not be ceded to fifth columnists, bigots, and blackmailers. “This does not preclude the use of online media to expose corruption and injustice and advocate for the rights of the disadvantaged.” Speaking at the event, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, stated that the media's role is to guarantee that the truth is continually communicated, especially when it comes to fairness in governance.
“As Guild of Online Corporate Publishers, you have the responsibility to ensure that you report not only the truth but to help government officials to also tell the truth. “It is a responsibility that you have to uphold because there is gradual erosion of the confidence people have in those in government He also charged the media with projecting a favorable picture of the country to the outside world to bring in direct foreign investment. The ceremony involved the swearing-in of the new Excos and the induction of new members. It was attended by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, and the Chief of Air Staff, whom the NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, represented.
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