Accurate Media Crucial to Global Peace, Say Stakeholders

Accurate Media Crucial to Global Peace, Say Stakeholders

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

Stakeholders at the maiden Diplomatic/Security International Conference of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) have emphasized the importance of accurate media reportage in tackling global insecurity, disinformation, and strategic misperceptions.

They also called for stronger collaboration between diplomats, intelligence agencies, and the media to promote peace and national stability.

Speaking during the conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, described the convergence of diplomacy, intelligence, and the media as central to confronting today’s complex global threats.

“We gather at a time of growing geopolitical volatility. The international system is contending with new and evolving threats, state and non-state conflicts, the weaponisation of disinformation, resurgent protectionism, technological disruptions, and a widening trust deficit between nations and within societies,” Tuggar said.

He noted that Nigeria’s “4Ds” foreign policy strategy; Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora, was tailored to respond to these realities.

He warned that disinformation has become one of the most dangerous tools used to distort truth, erode public trust, and escalate conflict.

“The antidote to these distortions lies in a tripartite alignment of diplomacy, intelligence, and the media.

“Our diplomats are frontline actors in countering misperception with truth. The media, traditional and digital, shapes perception before policy is understood. That is why Nigeria has adopted a proactive public diplomacy approach, engaging international media platforms and investing in narrative sovereignty,” the Minister explained.

Tuggar further called for international cooperation in tackling disinformation campaigns, support for digital diplomacy in developing countries, and more inclusive multilateral systems that reflect global demographic diversity.

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, also noted the indispensable role of the media and diplomacy in guiding societies through periods of global uncertainty.

“In the darkness, we need compasses, we need lighthouses. And this is what media and diplomacy must be,” Mignot said.

He praised Nigeria’s 4Ds diplomacy as a thoughtful model for aligning internal assets with external aspirations and pledged the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through investments and partnerships.

“Through our Global Gateway Investment Strategy, we are already partnering with Nigeria in critical sectors like digital economy, renewable energy, transport, and agriculture,” he said, citing projects like the Lagos electric maritime system and the 90,000km fibre optic rollout.

Mignot cautioned, however, that all global development efforts risk collapse if disinformation remains unchecked.

“We are facing massive strategies of disinformation, instigated by rogue players whose only goal is destabilisation. The EU is actively working to combat this by supporting media literacy, fact-checking, and fostering reliable journalism across the globe,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Kabiru Abdullahi, linked disinformation to Nigeria’s internal security challenges.

“Credible journalism is very important at this crucial stage in our life, globally and internally. Disinformation about happenings in other countries can have a devastating impact on our internal security. What happens thousands of miles away, when misreported, can trigger consequences here at home.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s multi-front security issues, including insurgency in the Northeast, military conflicts in the North Central, and crime in the South could be further worsened by false narratives circulating across borders.

The event, organized by DICAN, brought together diplomats, security experts, media professionals, and policymakers.

One of the highlights of the occasion was the presentation of awards to 20 distinguished individuals and institutions for their contributions to diplomacy, peacebuilding, and national security. Among the recipients were former President Goodluck Jonathan, NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, and Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema.