As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform journalism worldwide, Nigerian authorities and media experts are raising red flags about its implications for press freedom, information integrity, and public trust.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking at an event in Abuja commemorating World Press Freedom Day, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris—represented by Dr. Sulaiman Dauda, Director of Press—revealed that Nigeria has secured backing from seven countries, with commitments from 20 more, to host a UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The institute, he said, will serve not only Nigeria but the global media landscape by empowering citizens to critically evaluate media content in a rapidly digitized environment.

Idris emphasized that media literacy has become essential in combating modern threats such as fake news, deepfakes, and politically driven misinformation. He described AI as a “dual-edged force” that enhances journalistic efficiency but also threatens editorial integrity and public accountability.

“AI is transforming how newsrooms operate—speeding up production and boosting investigations—but it also raises ethical issues around bias, fake content, and unchecked dissemination,” he said during the event co-hosted by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

Echoing this concern, CJID Executive Director Akintunde Babatunde called for a fundamental rethinking of journalism in the AI era. He highlighted that AI is already deeply embedded in news production, from generative tools assisting journalists to algorithms curating what people read.

While Babatunde acknowledged the potential for AI to enrich storytelling and data analysis, he warned about risks like algorithmic discrimination, job losses, surveillance, and weakened editorial autonomy. “These are not hypothetical dangers—they’re happening now and affecting journalists in real-time,” he cautioned.

He praised KAS for facilitating dialogue among technologists, journalists, and policymakers, urging a united front to ensure AI strengthens, rather than undermines, press freedom.

In a goodwill address, House of Representatives spokesperson Akintunde Rotimi underscored AI’s moral neutrality, warning that it can produce “grammatically perfect lies” that could destabilize democracies if misused. He pointed to the rise of deepfakes and fabricated news, particularly during elections, as evidence of technology’s potential to sway public sentiment and incite unrest.

The event served as a call to action for global collaboration to regulate AI in journalism, bolster media literacy, and defend democratic values in the face of fast-evolving digital threats.