Matilda Omonaiye/
In commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day, media stakeholders have raised urgent calls for self-regulation in the face of rising misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism. The concern was raised during a high-level webinar organized by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nigeria in collaboration with Penpushing Media under the theme: “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
The virtual forum drew a diverse panel of seasoned journalists, academics, and media regulators, including Sir Eddy Aina, former Director at the National Broadcasting Commission; Ms Amina Yuguda, Group Head of Documentaries at Media Trust Group; and Dr. Ganiyat Tijani-Adenle, Senior Lecturer at Lagos State University. They emphasized that while AI has significantly enhanced journalistic workflows—boosting fact-checking, multilingual accessibility, and data analysis—it equally poses grave risks, notably in the form of deepfakes, AI-generated misinformation, and biased content moderation.
One of the key recommendations from the session was the establishment of an AI and Media Observatory—a multidisciplinary watchdog to monitor AI misuse in media, offer ethical guidance, and flag threats to press freedom. The stakeholders also advocated for nationwide journalist training on ethical AI deployment and the launch of a public awareness campaign focused on media literacy to combat the spread of fake news, particularly via social media.
In his opening remarks, UNIC Nigeria Country Director Roland Kayanja honored journalists working under difficult conditions, referencing UNESCO’s record of journalists killed in the line of duty. Quoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Kayanja noted, “There can be no strong democracy without journalists,” and called for more professional journalism to counter rising digital disinformation.
Penpushing Media Editorial Board Chairperson, Funke Fadugba, echoed the sentiment, urging journalists to adopt AI tools wisely without losing the human touch that defines ethical journalism. She stressed that while AI can improve reporting efficiency, it cannot replace the social and empathetic elements required in storytelling.
Penpushing Media founder Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji closed the session by reaffirming the organization’s commitment to responsible journalism and its continuous fight against fake news. He also encouraged media houses to adopt corporate social responsibility as a standard practice.
The well-attended session was moderated by Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun, National Information Officer at UNIC Nigeria, who facilitated the dialogue with emphasis on AI’s growing impact on press freedom and democratic engagement.
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