From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) has urged media professionals to critically assess the state of press freedom in the country, particularly in light of the rapid digital transformation and the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
This year’s theme, “Navigating the AI Frontier: Strengthening Press Freedom in Nigeria’s Digital Transformation,” underscores the need to balance the opportunities and risks presented by AI in journalism.
The NPC stressed the importance of harnessing AI to enhance investigative journalism, data analysis, and audience engagement, while also safeguarding press freedom, ethical journalism, and the public’s right to accurate information.
In a press release signed by Executive Secretary/CEO of the NPC, Dili Ezughah, the Council called on journalists to remain vigilant against the dangers posed by AI-generated misinformation and disinformation.
It said “As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, the Nigerian Press Council wishes to felicitate with all media professionals across the nation. This year’s theme, “NAVIGATING THE AI FRONTIER: STRENGTHENING PRESS FREEDOM IN NIGERIA’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION,” reflects the pressing need to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping our media landscape and the implications for press freedom.
“The Nigerian Press Council calls on all media practitioners to use this occasion to critically assess the state of press freedom in Nigeria amid the rapid digital transformation and the growing influence of artificial intelligence technologies in the media space. We must collectively address how to harness the opportunities of Al while safeguarding the fundamental principles of press freedom, ethical journalism, and the public’s right to accurate information.
“We urge media professionals to remain vigilant against the emerging challenges posed by Al-generated misinformation and disinformation. As gatekeepers of information, journalists must uphold the highest ethical standards and verify all content, particularly in this era where synthetic deepfakes undermine journalism.“The Council recognizes that Al tools offer unprecedented opportunities for enhancing investigative journalism, data analysis, content creation, and audience engagement. However, considerations at forefront their implementation.
“The Nigerian Press Council reaffirms its commitment to fostering high professional standards in the Nigerian press and will continue to build the capacity of journalists to navigate this evolving digital landscape. We believe that a free, independent, and professional press remains essential to Nigeria’s democratic development, even as the methods and tools of journalism continue to evolve.
“We also call on government agencies, technology companies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to work collaboratively in developing frameworks that promote responsible Al freedom and journalistic use in the media sector while preserving press freedom and journalistic independence.
“As we commemorate this important day, the Nigerian Press Council encourages all media professionals to embrace the opportunities offered by the Freedom of Information Act as a vital instrument for factual and investigative journalism in the digital age.”
Nigeria’s press freedom ranking has slipped by 10 places to 122nd in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, with Reporters Without Borders citing threats to editorial independence, government interference, and economic pressures on media outlets as key concerns.
Meanwhile, media stakeholders and civil society organizations, including the Media Rights Agenda, have raised alarms about the dual-edged nature of AI in journalism-offering tools for greater reach and efficiency, but also enabling the spread of disinformation and undermining independent voices.
Recent incidents, such as the abduction and detention of Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews, by military personnel over a news report, have further highlighted the precarious state of press freedom in Nigeria.