From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has commemorated the 2025 World Press Freedom Day by urging African journalists to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) while upholding ethical standards and professionalism in their work.
In a statement marking the annual event, Manager, Press Freedom, AMDF Zhiroh Jatau, emphasized the significance of this year’s theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom”, highlighting both the opportunities and threats AI presents to journalism, press freedom, and media independence.
Jatau, noted that while AI offers transformative tools for the media, it also poses risks such as the spread of misinformation and hate speech.
She called on media stakeholders including governments, civil society, and tech firms, to engage in urgent, inclusive dialogue to address these emerging challenges.
The Foundation further warned that failure to adapt to technological advancements could result in the decline of traditional and smaller media outlets, potentially impacting media sustainability and democratic engagement.
As part of the celebrations, AMDF also paid tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty and saluted the resilience of those continuing to work under difficult conditions.
“The theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom” is indeed timely as journalists are gradually coming to terms with the union of the tech world and the profession.
“AI has come to stay and with it comes a baggage of advantages and new challenges. Journalists and the Media at large must be challenged to develop practical approaches in maintaining ethical practice, high level professionalism and sustaining jobs.
“The influence of AI affects information flow, press freedom,media independence, thereby creating a thin line for professionals in the pluralistic media space.
“Most media houses are yet to fully go digital and this further shuts them out of being contributors to the digital information library.
“As professionals, we must bare in mind some risk involved with the use of AI, top amongst them is the easy and quick flow of false and misleading information as well as promotion of hate speech, and ensure we do not fall into it.
“The need to adapt to the technological advances cannot be overemphasized as even financial growth of media houses is also at risk while smaller outlets may have to close as they will be considered irrelevant and run out of subscribers.
“AMDF calls on journalists and all stakeholders in the media to create an environment where these issues among many others will be addressed urgently in healthy discussions among government, civil societies, tech industries and media practitioners.
“As Agenda setters, Journalists should be the major information hub for any generative news and media content online. As such African Journalists, should take full responsibility in learning and adapting to the use of AI.
“As we reflect on the growth of Media in Africa let us profer progressive steps towards sustaining the role of professionals in AI information vault.
“As we reflect on press freedom, AMDF remembers those who have paid the ultimate price in the quest for truth and fairness, we also salute the courage and resilience of all Journalists who have remained steadfast in spite of threats and intimidation”, the statement read in part.