As Nigeria marked World Press Freedom Day on Thursday, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, cautioned against the growing misuse of artificial intelligence in journalism, warning that unchecked AI deployment could undermine press freedom and democracy.
In a statement issued by the UN office in Abuja, Fall celebrated Nigerian journalists for their indispensable role in democratic governance but raised concerns about emerging threats posed by digital technologies.
“AI is reshaping journalism. It can empower fact-based reporting or accelerate disinformation, deepen surveillance, and silence truth,” Fall stated. “AI must not become a tool that erodes trust or endangers journalists who already face disproportionate risks online and offline.”
The warning came as this year’s global theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” emphasized the dual-edged nature of AI in the modern newsroom.
Fall noted that while artificial intelligence holds promise for enhancing news production, it also presents serious risks, including the spread of misinformation through deepfakes and the erosion of public trust in media institutions.
The UN, he said, is actively working with Nigerian media outlets, civil society, and government agencies to promote ethical AI use, strengthen media literacy, and ensure that freedom of expression is protected.
“Here in Nigeria, the United Nations works with media partners, civil society, and government to support public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms,” he said.
He referenced global initiatives, such as the Global Principles for Information Integrity and the Global Digital Compact, led by the UN Secretary-General to ensure transparency and accountability in digital spaces.
Calling journalists the “first line of defence against false news,” Fall urged them to uphold ethical standards and to balance their reporting by highlighting not only societal problems but also stories of hope and progress.
“You should not only convey disasters and bad news. Be conveyors of hope,” he said.
He also appealed to all stakeholders to support the media sector in adapting to rapid technological changes and protecting press freedom.
“When journalists are silenced, societies are weakened. But when they thrive, so does democracy,” he concluded.
World Press Freedom Day, celebrated every May 3, was declared by the UN General Assembly to promote awareness of the importance of press freedom and to remind governments of their duty to uphold the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
