The new wave of artificial intelligence (AI), viewed as a technological advancement in modern media practice and journalism, appears to be causing concern among journalists and media practitioners worldwide. 

There is no doubt that the advancement of AI is creating a paradigm shift in the function of journalism, as newsrooms and journalists are now placed in the terrain of automation and tech-enabled reporting by writing news through chatbots and algorithms to spread information to different audiences. This evolution is a reflection of how AI has crawled into the heart of journalism, in which Nigeria as a country is also affected. 

This development is inextricably linked to journalists’ decision to highlight the rapid development of AI as the theme for World Press Freedom Day, which was held on May 3rd and focused on the topic of “Reporting in the Brave New World—The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.” 

The discussion around the advent of AI in the media sector has also placed more attention on AI’s dual nature: a potential threat to press freedom through bias, misinformation, and unethical use, as well as increased censorship risks and an opportunity to improve journalism. 

Consequently, the dual nature of the technology and its disruptive nature are causing confusion and uncertainties among media practitioners, prompting them to ask critical questions about whether the introduction of AI is beneficial or detrimental to their profession. 

By extension, as press freedom continues to be a major subject of discourse among media experts in Nigeria, there is a need to consider if AI’s arrival is igniting critical conversations on whether or not AI would be a solution to the challenges or if it will further deepen the longstanding issue in the media industry.

Responding to the question of the influence of artificial intelligence on the media industry—whether it is a blessing or a curse—and the role it plays in regulating the technological assistive mechanism, Mr. Lekan Otunfodunrin, the Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, alluded to the advantages of artificial intelligence.

Mr. Otunfodunrin emphasised that technological advancement is not new in today’s world, clarifying that technology and artificial intelligence serve to improve human operations. He maintained that while other industries are already embracing AI, the media industry must not be left behind in using the technology to advance its operation.

“ I think, like every digital transformation that the whole world is experiencing, artificial intelligence is complimentary. Artificial intelligence aims to simplify our work. It is a tool we can outsource to help us in our jobs, but it is not just for the media; it is for every aspect of our lives. We can use it for editing, translating, and generating content. Despite concerns about its potential impact on jobs, I believe it’s premature to voice complaints about technology. It’s constantly evolving, necessitating innovation. I view it as a boon, as it can enhance our work. It has the capacity to make our jobs easier, although it requires human capacity; that would be minimal,” he submitted.

Mr Otunfodurin, despite appraising the works of the artificial intelligence, also called for a regulation from the media stakeholders just like other industries, as it could create an ethical burden if not properly regulated.

“The role media can play is that we need policy on how we want t regulate AI. It is important for organisations to understand the ramifications of how to use AI and how to have transparency and disclose and let people know exactly how it is being used. All those are important so that you will not abuse them because AI also has its implications because it relies on what is available online, and there is a lot of misinformation. And this comes from a place of policy. Worldwide, organisations are developing policies; the media must develop their own.

“And so the media must also have its policy. Each organisation must establish and communicate its own policy to staff. What can you use? What can you use AI for? What can you not use it for? And when you use it, we need to clarify how it is disclosed. Those things are very critical. So that we also do not know where we cannot distinguish what is AI and what is not, he concluded.

Kunle Daramola, the product manager of ChatJourno, an AI chatbot that boosts newsroom productivity and strengthens fact-based journalism by generating credible and reliable backstories for news, argued that, while AI has been misrepresented as a threat to journalism, its role is to empower journalists and media practitioners.

He explained that “AI, particularly generative AI and natural language processing (NLP), has transformed journalism, much like the internet and printing press did in their time. 

“By streamlining research, rewriting, and data visualisation, AI enhances journalists’ daily tasks. While there’s a risk of malicious actors using AI to spread misinformation, editorial oversight remains crucial.

“Instead of replacing journalists, AI empowers them with more resources and responsibility, ultimately improving the quality and efficiency of journalism.” 

David Adeleke, an AI fellow at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), opined that AI can fast-track the job process of journalists by helping with tasks like interviewing, transcription, and data sorting, among others. 

He also noted that AI “empowers reporters to find patterns, analyse leaked documents, or follow social media during breaking news stories, significantly enhancing investigative reporting by verifying information against authentic sources and spotting made-up stories and doctored content. This is particularly important in the current digital era, as deepfakes and fake news can quickly damage credibility.

Speaking on the areas media practitioners must pay attention to for regulation, he stated that the media must regulate AI to control accuracy and reliability issues, copyright and intellectual property issues and its tendency to create an erosion of trust and transparency.