From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Media stakeholders have warned that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence -manifesting in fake election results, deepfake videos, and manipulated audio—poses a grave threat to credible journalism and democratic stability ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued following the 8th Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture Series, organized in Kaduna by the Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) to mark the posthumous birthday of investigative journalist Bagauda Kaltho.
The lecture, themed “Courageous Journalism, Press Freedom and the Challenge of Election Misinformation Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, “ featured a keynote address by Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher and CEO of Premium Times. Olorunyomi highlighted journalism’s historical role in securing Nigeria’s independence, supporting democratic governance, and resisting military rule, while outlining the steep hurdles facing newsrooms in the digital era.
According to the communiqué, jointly signed by Titus Usman, Publisher of Jewel Treasure Newspaper, and Sekyen Dadik, AMDF Executive Director, the event celebrated the enduring legacy of journalists like Bagauda Kaltho, reaffirming that courage, investigative vigor, and professional ethics remain non-negotiable in holding power to account.
The communiqué noted that while the digital revolution has disrupted traditional media business models—leaving newsrooms economically strained and journalists underpaid—it has also accelerated the speed at which false narratives spread.
Stakeholders cautioned that social media algorithms allow misinformation and disinformation to outpace traditional journalism and fact-checking efforts.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the proliferation of synthetic, AI-generated content presents an unprecedented challenge to the country’s information ecosystem.
Furthermore, the gathering noted that Nigerian journalists continue to face legal and institutional harassment under restrictive statutes, including key provisions of the Cybercrimes Act and outdated colonial-era press laws.
To safeguard the integrity of the media landscape ahead of the 2027 polls, the communiqué outlined a series of actionable recommendations.
“Newsrooms must uphold rigorous verification and ethical standards, invest in continuous training for digital forensics and fact-checking, build internal verification systems, and foster stronger collaboration among press unions and civil society.
“Authorities should review and reform restrictive legislation that impedes press freedom, partner with credible fact-checking organizations, and maintain constructive, open dialogue with the press.
Global tech firms must collaborate with local journalists, civil society, and regulatory bodies to deploy effective tools for detecting synthetic media and slowing the viral spread of harmful disinformation.
“Media literacy and critical thinking must be integrated into school curricula, religious organizations, and local communities to empower citizens to verify information before sharing it on social networks”, it added.
The lecture also highlighted the importance of capacity building for emerging media professionals, citing initiatives like the CJID Campus Journalism Program as vital for preparing young reporters for a changing technological landscape.
Concluding the event, participants reaffirmed Bagauda Kaltho’s legacy as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in pursuit of truth and accountability, calling on all state and non-state actors to unite in protecting independent journalism and democratic integrity across Nigeria and Africa.
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