By Daniel Obaje
The Catholic Bishop of Katsina, Most Rev. Gerald Musa, has called for stronger press freedom and ethical media frameworks to combat digital manipulation, artificial intelligence threats, and misinformation.
Musa made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, during the 2026 World Communications Day celebration.
He said modern communication systems are increasingly influenced by algorithm-driven content that can subtly distort human judgment and reduce people’s ability to think critically.
“We are in a digital world and we are influenced in different ways by digital technology, especially what we read from our phones, from our digital devices and many others,”
“The Pope calls on us that in the usage of digital technology, we must recognise the dignity of the human face, the dignity of the human voice, and the voice of truth is a face that reflects the image of God,” he said.
Musa cautioned that algorithm-driven media environments risk shaping what people see, believe and share, often without accountability.
“We must not allow algorithms to take away our humanity.”
He also raised concern about the vulnerability of young people to misinformation and digital influence, noting that many struggle to distinguish between reality and falsehood online.
“Young people are impressionable, they find it difficult to differentiate between fantasy and reality,” he said.
The bishop described digital communication as a “double-edged sword,” stressing that while it can educate and inform, it can also be used to spread harm and manipulate society.
“The media is a double-edged sword. When misused, it can lead to things that may not be good for society.”
Musa further condemned attacks on journalists, saying press freedom remains essential to truth, democracy and accountability, especially in an election-sensitive environment.
“We have journalists who are persecuted for propagating the truth, journalists who show their faces, speak the truth and are sometimes persecuted.
“We have journalists who have disappeared mysteriously, journalists who have been killed, we must honour those who stand for the truth.”
The bishop urged that communication in Nigeria must return to its ethical roots, where truth, human dignity and responsibility guide both traditional and digital media use.
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
