FG stresses commitment to transforming media landscape through AI
Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that press freedom, ethical journalism, and media literacy are promoted in the digital age, as Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global media landscape.
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the commitment during the 2025 World Press Freedom Day event hosted by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in Abuja, Nigeria.
In his keynote address, the Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by the Director of Public Relations and Protocol of the Ministry, Dr Suleiman Haruna, emphasized the dual nature of AI in journalism, highlighting both its transformative potential and the critical risks it poses to journalistic integrity, information accuracy, and democratic accountability.
Idris noted that while Nigerian newsrooms are already leveraging AI for faster reporting, data analysis, and investigative journalism, there is still the need for a cautious and ethical approach due to growing concerns around misinformation, bias, and transparency.
To address these challenges, Idris announced Nigeria’s commitment to hosting the UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute, to be located at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
“With funding approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and support already pledged by several countries, the institute aims to become a global hub for advancing responsible media practices and critical thinking in the digital age,” he said.
The Minister, furthermore, disclosed that Nigeria is developing a national policy framework on AI in the media.
“This initiative will encourage innovation while upholding press freedom and journalistic ethics.”
He called for collaboration among journalists, media organizations, technologists, policymakers, and civil society actors to create ethical guidelines, invest in AI capacity building, ensure transparency in content creation, and promote media literacy nationwide.
“As we embrace the future of AI-powered journalism, our collective responsibility is to ensure that freedom of the press is not undermined, but strengthened,” said Minister Idris. “This is not man versus machine but man with machine, working for the public good,” he added.
On her part, the Resident Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Marija Peran, underscored the growing influence of AI on journalism and the urgent need to safeguard media independence globally.
She highlighted that while AI enhances journalistic efficiency and innovation, it also presents risks, including misinformation and the erosion of public trust.
“As a global organization committed to democracy, the rule of law, and good governance, KAS stands with the media in navigating this delicate balance,” she said.
The event with the theme: ‘Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,’ focused on the evolving dynamics of journalism in an AI-driven era.
