By Hosea Parah
Media professionals, scholars and policymakers have warned that the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create and circulate false information poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and electoral integrity.
The warning was issued at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference held in Enugu State, where participants examined the changing media landscape and the urgent need for journalists to strengthen verification, credibility and public trust.
The conference, themed “The Ballot, the Media, and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” focused extensively on the challenge of detecting and countering AI-driven disinformation before, during and after elections.
Speakers at the conference stressed that as technology makes it increasingly difficult for citizens to distinguish between authentic and fabricated content, the media must remain a trusted source of verified information.
They urged journalists to resist the pressure to publish first at the expense of accuracy, warning that the rapid spread of manipulated videos, fabricated reports, deepfakes and other forms of AI-generated content could distort public opinion and undermine democratic processes.
A major message from the conference was that journalists must prioritise verification over speed, particularly during sensitive electoral periods when false information can trigger confusion, tension and loss of confidence in democratic institutions.
Participants reaffirmed the traditional role of the media as the “fourth estate of the realm”, describing the press as an important pillar in holding government accountable and protecting the public’s right to credible information.
Religious leader and prominent public commentator, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, was among those who underscored the responsibility of the media to protect truth and strengthen democratic values.
The conference also featured discussions on the relationship between truth, trust and the future of journalism in Nigeria, culminating in the unveiling of a book titled Truth, Trust, and the Future of Journalism in Nigeria.
The publication was presented as a resource aimed at guiding journalists, students and future media practitioners through the rapidly changing journalism environment.
Speakers noted that the future of journalism would depend not only on technological advancement but also on the ability of journalists and media organisations to preserve professional ethics, credibility and public confidence.
The conference further called for stronger collaboration between government, media organisations, technology stakeholders and civil society groups to improve digital literacy and help citizens identify misleading information.
Participants also highlighted the need to protect national information infrastructure, particularly as digital platforms become increasingly influential in shaping political conversations and electoral outcomes.
The Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, also contributed to discussions at the conference, while the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, addressed participants and reaffirmed the importance of a responsible and informed media to the development of democracy.
A message from the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, also featured prominently at the conference, reinforcing the importance of an informed citizenry and credible information to the survival of democratic governance.
The conference came against the backdrop of growing concerns over the ability of AI tools to generate realistic but false photographs, videos, audio recordings and written reports that can be circulated widely through social media within minutes.
Participants therefore stressed that journalists must develop stronger digital verification skills and adopt technologies capable of identifying manipulated content.
They also called for greater public awareness, arguing that citizens themselves have a responsibility to verify information before sharing it, especially during elections.
The editors maintained that the battle against disinformation cannot be left to journalists alone, noting that government institutions, political actors, technology companies, civil society organisations and citizens must all play their part.
They warned that unchecked disinformation could undermine public trust not only in the media but also in electoral institutions, political processes and democratic governance.
The conference ultimately placed the media at the centre of efforts to preserve truth and public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy, urging journalists to remain committed to accuracy, fairness, accountability and professional ethics.
As Nigeria enters an increasingly digital political era, the editors stressed that the credibility of the country’s democratic conversation would depend largely on the ability of the media and citizens to distinguish truth from manufactured reality.