The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has urged Nigerian media organisations to stop addressing terrorists and bandits as “commanders,” “leaders” or other titles that confer authority or status on criminals.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, PeacePro said the fact that an armed criminal controls other criminals does not transform him into a legitimate leader or military commander.
“A terrorist or bandit cannot be a leader or commander. They can only be killers.”
PeacePro said the media has a responsibility to report criminal organisations accurately without inadvertently reproducing the language through which such groups seek to project power, legitimacy and authority.
“They may command other killers, but that does not make them commanders. They may have followers, but that does not make them leaders. They may possess weapons, but that does not make them generals.”
PeacePro said journalists can describe the internal structure of terrorist organisations without adopting their preferred titles.
“There is nothing wrong with reporting that a particular killer exercises operational control over a group. The problem begins when the media converts that criminal position into a title of honour or legitimate authority.”
PeacePro warned that repeated use of terms such as commander and leader can gradually normalise terrorism and elevate perpetrators above their victims in public discourse.
“Words matter. When we call killers commanders, we are not merely describing them; we may be helping them construct an image of authority.”
PeacePro urged editors and reporters to use terms such as terrorist, bandit, killer, kidnapper or suspected perpetrator, according to the facts established in each case.
PeacePro said the media should also remember the victims behind every attack.
“The person who burns a village, kidnaps children, murders civilians and forces entire communities from their homes does not deserve a title that suggests honour or legitimate command. He is a killer, and that is what the public deserves to know.”
PeacePro concluded, “Let the media report what terrorists do. Let it report their structures and activities. But let us stop giving killers the titles of soldiers, generals and legitimate leaders. Criminal violence does not create leadership.”
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