By Our Reporter
Stakeholders in media industry have called on need for self-regulation as a measure to address unethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is emerging as a key driver of misinformation and disinformation, with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, as well as biased content moderation
This was part of resolutions at a webinar organised by United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nigeria in collaboration with Penpushing Media to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day under the theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
The theme was interrogated by a panel of discussants comprising of media experts in the academia and practice which include Sir Eddy Aina, a member of the editorial board of Penpushing Media and former Director National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Ms Amina Yuguda, the Group Head Documentaries and Features at the Media Trust Group,the publishers of Daily Trust newspapers, with vast experience in media education and journalism, including at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC); and Dr. Dr. Ganiyat Tijani-Adenle, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Journalism, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Lagos State University, Ojo.
The discussants were unanimous in acknowledging that AI is transforming journalism, providing tools that enhance investigative reporting, content creation, and fact-checking and it allows for greater efficiency, multilingual accessibility, and improved data analysis, however, noted that these advancements equally bring risks as Artificial Intelligence (AI) also possesses the capacity to generate fake and misleading contents.
The other key outcomes and recommendations of the webinar stated to establish an “AI and Media Observatory” comprising of experts from diverse media backgrounds, AI policy makers, AI ethics experts, Fact-checking experts, among others, to monitor the media landscape for AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfakes, biased content moderation, and surveillance threats to journalists.
The recommendations include organise training for journalists and other media practitioners on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in news/programme production and dissemination, launch a nation-wide integrated public awareness campaign on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and news consumption and distribution with emphasis on Media and Information Literacy competencies to curtail mass distribution of fake contents in the social media and other digital platforms.
Earlier in his welcome speech Country Director United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Roland Kayanja stressed the importance to celebrate the work of journalists on this year World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) commemoration.
The Director acknowledged them working on a very difficult condition and made reference to UNESCO’s records of those journalists who lost their lives in the line of their duties, highlighting the importance of journalist with reference to the SG’s words that there will be no strong democracy without the journalists.
Kayanja stressed the need for professional journalism to address the proliferation of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, however, mentioned the challenges and opportunities as technology evolves and with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“With the proliferation of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, we need professional journalism more, not less in these days because we need to expose the truth, to be able to know the truth between the truth and lies that digital media and even increasing AI will expose us to”, he said.
The Chairman Editorial Board of Penpushing Media Funke Fadugba in her remarks urged practitioners to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), but with caution to avoid erosion of originality.
The board chairman, a veteran journalist pointed out that despite the enormous advantages of Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as providing data needed to widen scope of reportage, bridging the gap of time that would have been spent traveling to search for information.
Fadugba added that journalists need to sustain the humanity aspect of reporting and highlighted that in a democracy there is a need for interaction and socialisation, which Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot functionally provide.
The Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, (UNESCO) Audrey Azoulay in his message noted that the advent of the Internet and social networks has considerably facilitated individual expression and democratized the production of online content.
Represented by Ms Yachat Nuhu of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Abuja, stated that it has also posed increased risks to information integrity, and these risks have been amplified by algorithms.
‘These circumstances are all the more relevant given that, in a study conducted by UNESCO in 2023, 56% of the people surveyed said that they used digital platforms as their principal source of news’, he stated.
The UNESCO) reaffirms its longtime commitment to supporting journalism and independent media, as we stated this past March alongside Hamida Aman, the founder of the Afghan station Radio Begum, and to protecting and training journalists working in conflict-affected areas.
The Founder of Penpushing Media Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji in his remarks to round off the webinar expressed appreciation to United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in partnering with Penpushing Media, adding that the partnership has remain added value to the organization
He equally appreciated participants and assured that the organization will not derail from its policy of responsible journalism and not relent in its effort in fight against fake news and the purveyors, stressing that the era of social media is becoming threat to the profession.
The founder of Penpushing Media, which is first to start online newspaper in Abeokuta, a town where journalism started in Nigeria called and encouraged media houses to introduce corporate social responsibility as part of their policy, emphasizing need not just reporting plight of individual but as corporate organisations should also look inward to profer solutions, and them to emulate Penpushing Media inthat regard having been proactive in corporate social responsibility.
“On behalf of the Management, Editorial Board of Penpushing Media I want to profusely appreciate United Nations Information Centre for this partnership. This is not the first and I can openly say here that the partnership has added value for us at Penpushing Media and we promise that we won’t derail in providing qualitative and responsible journalism. We would not relent in fight against fake news and purveyors”, Kayode-Adedeji stated
Meanwhile, the well-attended webinar was moderated by Dr Oluseyi Soremekun, National Information Officer United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Nigeria