By Michae Oche
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, and the Voice of Nigeria (VON) have urged journalists to strengthen fact-checking, uphold professional ethics and ensure responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NUJ-FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, and the Director-General of VON, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, gave the charge during the VON NUJ Chapel Press Week in Abuja, where media professionals examined the implications of AI for journalism, democracy and electoral integrity.
Speaking at the event, Ike described the theme, ‘Truth in the Age of AI: Journalism, Democracy and Nigeria’s 2027 Elections’, as timely, noting that the growing use of AI had created new challenges for journalists and the credibility of information ahead of the polls.
She observed that AI could generate news reports, clone human voices and produce fabricated videos within seconds, warning that the misuse of the technology could facilitate deepfakes, fabricated election results and inflammatory content capable of inciting violence and undermining the electoral process.
According to her, journalists must strengthen their verification processes and resist the temptation to publish unverified information simply because it is trending or has gone viral.
“In 2027, Nigeria will not just need journalists who can report fast. Nigeria will need journalists who can report right,” she said.
Ike stressed that verification had become central to responsible journalism in the age of artificial intelligence.
“In the age of AI, verification is no longer just a step in journalism. Verification is journalism itself,” she stated.
She, however, cautioned against viewing AI solely as a threat, identifying transcription, fact-checking, local-language translation, research and data journalism as areas where the technology could improve newsroom efficiency.
The NUJ-FCT chairman also urged journalists to ensure impartial coverage of political parties and candidates, while prioritising their safety, mental health and welfare.
Addressing journalists at VON, she said the organisation had a special responsibility as Nigeria’s international broadcasting service, urging its staff to maintain high standards of accuracy and credibility in projecting the country to the world.
She assured journalists that the NUJ-FCT Council would continue to support members facing intimidation or attacks in the course of their professional duties.
In his keynote address, the Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, also warned that AI’s ability to make fabricated information appear authentic posed a major threat to journalism.
He said the technology could generate convincing voices, photographs and videos of events that never happened, making it increasingly difficult for audiences to distinguish genuine information from manipulated content.
“The greatest danger artificial intelligence poses to journalism is not simply that machines can manufacture falsehoods. It is that they can increasingly manufacture the appearance of truth,” he said.
Adeniyi maintained that credibility in journalism depended on rigorous verification and transparent professional practices, stressing that plausibility and repetition could never replace evidence.
He nevertheless encouraged journalists to embrace technological innovation, noting that AI could improve productivity and support creativity when deployed responsibly without undermining professional judgement.
Earlier, the Director-General of VON, Ndace, represented by the Deputy Director of Digital Media, Dr Qasim Olalere Akinreti, urged journalists to uphold professionalism, credibility and responsible AI use, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Ndace described the theme of the Press Week as relevant to the challenges confronting journalism and democratic development, reaffirming VON’s commitment to providing credible information about Nigeria, Africa and the wider world.
According to him, journalists must provide adequate context in their reports and remain guided by the organisation’s founding philosophy of promoting Nigeria’s image through credible and responsible broadcasting.
He also reaffirmed VON’s commitment to maintaining a productive relationship with the NUJ, describing both institutions as partners in progress.
On the dangers of AI-generated disinformation, Akinreti warned that deepfakes and manipulated information could undermine public confidence, create confusion and threaten national unity, particularly during elections.
“For us as journalists, we do not have any other country. We just have one country called Nigeria. We cannot afford to let this country down and let the people down through the use of unverified stories or the broadcast of stories that could divide our country,” he said.
He urged media practitioners to consider public interest and the national good before publishing sensitive information.
“If it is not for public good or public interest, leave it out. It is not compulsory,” he advised.
The Press Week brought together media professionals and other stakeholders to examine emerging challenges in journalism, the responsible application of artificial intelligence and the media’s role in protecting democratic values and promoting credible information ahead of the 2027 general elections.
