Avoid Cheap Publicity for Terrorism, AREMU cautions the Media- Condoles People of Kiama, Kwara Government

 Avoid Cheap Publicity for Terrorism, AREMU cautions the Media- Condoles People of Kiama, Kwara Government 

As the Government and people of Kwara state grapple with the aftermath of the terror attack on the people of Woro and Nuku Communities in Kaiama LGA of Kwara State , media practitioners have been advised against sensational reportage that conferred undeserved  publicity to the cowardly activities of criminals. 

A front line labour leader and Director General of Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies ( MINILS) Ilorin Comrade Issa Aremu gave this advice  in Ilorin on Sunday. Speaking  on the sidelines of his electronic membership of the ruling All Progressive Party  (APC) at Baboko ward Ilorin, Aremu who is also a Member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies ( NIPPS) Kuru Jos observed  that the terror attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government, on  Tuesday February 3, which resulted in mass murder of residents eliciting   humanitarian crisis tasks professionalism of journalists with respect to “ethics, balance and sobriety” .  

According to him, given that “ Media coverage of terrorist attacks often  influence public perception, journalists must “remain measured, less sensational and resist according underserved oxygen of publicity to terrorists’  behavior that would further amplify fear among citizens inadvertently advancing the evil  of the terrorists. 

Aremu said rather than promoting gory stories of deaths and destruction being the trademarks of cowardly extremists who operate in darkness, the media should bring to the fore the commendable efforts of the affected communities, state and the Federal  government  under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to overcome the pain and stem the tide of attacks.  “Certainly Nigerian media have done very well in news coverage of “the good” about this democracy. But in an open society both the good and the bad operate. The media have the discretion not to cheaply allow the criminals who operate in the dark to enjoin the publicity meant for the best citizens” 

While commending the prompt response of both the Kwara State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria through security deployments, humanitarian aid to Woro and Nuku communities, the Director General however advised that efforts should be more on prevention through prompt actions on intelligence reports about plausible attacks. 

lAremu also said “it was time for development approach to fighting terrorism through reclaiming ungoverned spaces through growth and development. “ Let there be industries, agri allied industries, schools and governments and roads, and electrification , gainfully employ the youths and make them less vulnerable to extremism. There are three solutions to terrorism: Development, Development and Development “