FG Calls For Ethical Guidelines On AI Use In Journalism
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that the Federal Government has called for the development of ethical guidelines to govern the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism practice in Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this call on Friday in Abuja during a workshop marking the 2025 World Press Freedom Day.
The event, themed “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”, was organised by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in collaboration with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
Represented by Dr. Suleman Haruna, Director of Press, Public Relations, and Protocol at the ministry, the minister stated that the government is working towards formulating a national policy framework on the use of AI in media. The goal, he said, is to encourage innovation while ensuring press freedom and journalistic integrity are protected.
Idris emphasized the need for media stakeholders to invest in training journalists on AI tools to ensure a smooth and responsible integration of the technology. He also stressed the importance of transparency in the generation of AI-driven content.
“As we embrace AI’s potential to transform journalism, we must establish appropriate legal safeguards and ethical frameworks,” he said.
The minister noted that while AI offers opportunities, it also presents challenges. “The distinction between human and AI-generated content is becoming increasingly blurred,” he warned, pointing to concerns about transparency, accountability, and bias.
“Newsrooms are increasingly having to disclose when AI is used in content creation, as seen in recent cases where media outlets employed AI without proper disclosure,” he added.
He further stated: “Our future is not man versus machine, but man with machine. AI should enhance the excellence of our newsrooms and support the vision that drives journalistic practice.”
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, warned against losing the core values of journalism in an AI-driven world.
“Let us not be deceived: technology is a tool, not a conscience,” Rotimi said. “AI can write perfect sentences and process data quickly, but it cannot replicate moral clarity, human empathy, or the courage to speak truth to power — all of which are essential to journalism.”
He acknowledged AI’s benefits, including speeding up reporting, improving verification, and widening dissemination. However, he cautioned that the threat of AI-generated misinformation is real and already affecting societies globally.
Rotimi said the occasion offered an opportunity to reflect on the state of the press and renew collective commitment to the principles of free expression, public accountability, and democratic governance.
In her welcome address, KAS Resident Representative, Marija Peran, said AI is redefining how information is gathered, processed, and disseminated — presenting both opportunities and risks.
“AI can empower journalists to work more efficiently, but it also brings dangers that could threaten press freedom,” she said.
Peran stressed the importance of maintaining ethical responsibility while embracing technology. “There must be a balance between innovation and the preservation of journalistic values like truth and integrity,” she said.
She reiterated KAS’s commitment to supporting independent media globally, adding that World Press Freedom Day is a vital platform to evaluate the evolving challenges facing journalism today.
Executive Director of CJID, Akintunde Babatunde, said the day serves as a timely reminder to governments to uphold their obligations in protecting press freedom.
