The Arewa Concerned Citizens Forum (ACCF) has backed the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa’s call for a media blackout on the on-going nationwide protests.
In an issued statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna yesterday, signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Victor Bobai, Assistant Secretary, Moses Enenche and Director, Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Kolo.
Recall that the CDS had on Friday, during a press conference in Abuja, asked both international and local media to stop covering the 10-day nationwide protests, which began on Thursday. He argued that many of the protesters were attention seekers, who wanted their moments in the media.
The ACF, in the statement, said that the measure would prevent the protests from escalating and causing more harm to the country.
According to the group, some of the protesters are motivated by a desire for attention and publicity. It said, “Extensive media coverage may inadvertently fuel this desire, leading to more people joining the protests to gain attention. Furthermore, media coverage can fuel the protests by giving them more publicity, which may attract more supporters and escalate the situation.
“The media publicity is the oxygen that sustains the protest. Once you cut the oxygen, the protest will end and then there will be peace”.
The Forum also expressed concern that media coverage could spread misinformation and fake news, which may further exacerbate the situation and lead to more harm.
It urged the media to cooperate with the military and respect the call for a blackout in the interest of national security and stability.
