The Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub of the International Press Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, is urging stakeholders to uphold the right to accurate information as the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day 2025.

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its significant effects on journalism, democracy, and the free exchange of ideas are the media’s current defining problem, according to the IPC-SPJ Hub. The theme for this year is “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”, which forces the media to consider how AI is changing the media landscape in terms of truth, trust, and transparency while calling for immediate action to protect press freedom in Nigeria and around the world.

The IPC-SPJ Hub made this call in a statement outlining its plans to celebrate World Press Freedom Day in 2025 with an event on Wednesday, May 7, in Lagos. The statement was signed by Melody Akinjiyan, Press Freedom Officer, IPC

According to the statement, the International Press Centre (IPC) will hold a physical convening in Lagos under the theme “Artificial Intelligence, The Media & Press Freedom: Issues & Perspectives”, to critically examine the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on press freedom while exploring the media’s evolving role in the digital age.

The event, during which IPC shall also present its report on the state of attacks on journalists in Nigeria, will focus on developing actionable strategies to enhance journalists’ safety and protect fundamental freedoms in an AI-driven media landscape. It will also bring together key stakeholders to propose concrete measures for advancing press freedom in Nigeria.

Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, World Press Freedom Day is celebrated around the world on May 3 every year as a reminder to governments of the need for them to respect their commitment to press freedom and create a safe and conducive environment for journalism and media practice.

Commenting on the theme for WPFD 2025 – “Reporting in the Brave World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”, Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, the International Press Centre, said: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought unprecedented efficiencies to newsrooms, from automated fact-checking to data-driven investigative reporting. In Nigeria, media outlets leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to track corruption and amplify underreported stories, demonstrating its potential as a tool for accountability.”

Despite this, Mr Arogundade stated that “the risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are escalating at an alarming pace: AI – AI-generated disinformation is outpacing traditional journalism.

A 2024 Report by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) found that AI-powered fake news spreads faster than human-generated falsehoods, with Nigeria ranked among the top 10 African nations targeted by AI-driven disinformation campaigns.”

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) surveillance, among other things, is silencing journalists. Governments and private entities increasingly deploy AI-powered monitoring tools to track journalists. A 2024 UNESCO report revealed that 47% of Nigerian reporters have experienced AI-facilitated surveillance, including facial recognition tracking and predictive policing algorithms targeting critics,” Mr Arogundade added.

On this occasion of WPFD 2025, IPC-SPJ reinforces the call that Artificial Intelligence (AI) must not become a tool for repressing Nigeria’s Press Freedom environment, which is already strained by cybercrime laws, internet shutdowns and attacks on reporters, among others.

We demand immediate measures to ensure Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves democracy, not undermines it.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not replace journalists; however, without safeguards, it risks replacing truth with manipulation, accountability with control, and press freedom with algorithmic oppression.

We therefore call on journalists, tech giants, lawmakers and citizens to defend the right to truthful information. The future of journalism must be brave, not automated.