By Justina Auta
Media experts have called for urgent collective action to combat Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven election misinformation and safeguard press freedom ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the eighth Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture Series.
The communique was co-signed by Titus Usman, Publisher, Jewel Treasure Newspaper and Sekyen Dadik
Executive Director, Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) in Abuja.
The event was organised by the AMDF to commemorate the posthumous birthday of investigative journalist, Bagauda Kaltho.
The lecture, with the theme, “Courageous Journalism, Press Freedom and the Challenge of Election Misinformation Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections,” reflected on the future of journalism and the growing threats posed by misinformation in the digital era.
It noted that journalism played a historic role in Nigeria’s struggle for independence, defence of democracy and resistance to military rule, while emphasising that the legacy of Bagauda Kaltho underscored the importance of courage, investigative reporting and professional commitment in holding power accountable.
It observed that the increasing use of AI to generate fabricated election results, deepfake videos, manipulated audio and other deceptive contents posed significant risks to credible journalism and electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to the communiqué, the speed and reach of social media platforms allow misinformation and disinformation to spread faster than professional journalists and fact-checkers can respond.
It also expressed concern over the economic pressures confronting media organisations, saying the disruption of traditional business models had weakened media institutions and contributed to poor remuneration for journalists.
The communiqué further identified legal and institutional challenges, including concerns over the application of the Cybercrimes Act and the continued existence of outdated laws restricting journalistic freedom.
It stressed that journalism remained central to democratic governance through its responsibility to hold public office holders accountable, expose development gaps and serve as a gatekeeper for truthful and credible information.
The participants called on journalists and media organisations to strengthen ethical and professional standards, particularly in verifying AI-generated and digital content.
They also urged newsrooms to invest in continuous training on fact-checking, digital verification, artificial intelligence and investigative journalism, while promoting a culture of verification over the unchecked reproduction of social media content.
The communiqué further recommended stronger collaboration among media organisations, journalists’ unions, professional bodies and civil society groups to effectively tackle misinformation.
It urged government and public institutions to support credible fact-checking mechanisms, improve engagement between security agencies and the media and review laws that hinder press freedom.
The lecture also called on technology companies and digital platforms to work with journalists, government and civil society organisations to curb the spread of harmful disinformation and support systems capable of identifying manipulated and AI-generated content.
On media literacy, the participants advocated expanded public education programmes to encourage citizens to verify information before sharing it, particularly during election periods.
They recommended that media literacy initiatives be extended through schools, religious organisations, communities and other social institutions to strengthen critical thinking among citizens.
The communiqué also highlighted the importance of sustained investment in journalism education, ethical training and digital skills for young journalists, citing the Campus Journalism Programme (CJID) as a notable capacity-building initiative.
It called for a multi-stakeholder response involving journalists, media organisations, government institutions, technology companies, civil society, educators and citizens to strengthen Nigeria’s information environment ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the communiqué, protecting credible journalism is a shared responsibility that requires citizens to distinguish verified information from fabricated content, while institutions responsible for security, legislation and digital governance must create an enabling environment for legitimate journalism to thrive.
The communiqué reaffirmed the enduring relevance of Bagauda Kaltho’s legacy as a symbol of courage, sacrifice and accountability, while pledging continued commitment to advancing press freedom and professional journalism in Nigeria and across Africa. (NAN)(NAN)
Edited by Francis Onyeukwu
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