World Press Freedom Day: FG to Develop AI Policy to Combat Media Disinformation
As nations across the globe marked this year’s World Press Freedom Day, the Federal Government has announced plans to develop a national policy framework for the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the media.
The policy aimed at curbing the growing threat of disinformation and safeguarding press freedom.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in his speech to mark the 2025 World Press Freedom Day.
Theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” the Minister said the move underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to balancing technological innovation with media ethics, national security, and democratic accountability.
“This framework will ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of ethics, press freedom, or national security,” Idris declared, positioning Nigeria as one of the first African nations to formally respond to the growing concerns around AI’s disruptive potential in the information ecosystem.
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The Minister acknowledged that while AI offers significant opportunities to enhance journalistic efficiency, productivity, and storytelling, it also poses serious risks—particularly through its misuse in spreading deepfakes, misinformation, and disinformation.
He warned that these technologies, if left unchecked, could be weaponised by subversive groups to polarise societies and erode public trust in democratic institutions.
“It is not enough to report; the media must take a principled stand to protect the information ecosystem from being polluted by falsehoods and manipulated content,”
Idris said, adding that all stakeholders—government, civil society, and media—must work together to safeguard freedom of expression in this new digital age.
He also urged media organizations to be vigilant in policing their platforms, whether traditional or digital, warning that giving space to terrorists, anti-state actors, or extremist groups under the guise of press freedom could jeopardize national stability.
The Minister’s remarks come at a time when Nigeria’s media is increasingly navigating a dual threat landscape: the rise of AI-powered information warfare and mounting pressures on journalistic independence in politically volatile regions.
Despite global challenges, Nigeria ranks among the African countries with one of the most vibrant and outspoken media environments.
Press freedom advocates have long argued for stronger legal protections for journalists and independent newsrooms, especially in light of occasional arrests and cyber harassment faced by reporters in recent years.
By PRNigeria
