The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has announced that its 2026 conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) will focus on the growing threat of artificial intelligence (AI) to media integrity. The two-day event, themed "Truth Under Pressure: Journalism, AI and Information Integrity," will take place on December 2-3, 2026, at the Bolton White Hotel in Abuja. The conference aims to explore how newsrooms can utilize AI-powered verification tools to detect and counter misinformation.
The conference will examine the emerging challenges facing the Nigerian media industry, particularly the impact of AI on journalism, information integrity, disinformation, press freedom, and journalists' safety. It will provide a platform for discussions on critical national and industry issues, with the goal of advancing free, independent, and responsible journalism. A key focus of the gathering will be strengthening collaboration between the media and security agencies.
The event is expected to attract policymakers, subject-matter experts, media executives, journalists, and media freedom advocates. Participants will discuss how AI-generated deepfakes and other forms of synthetic media threaten public trust in journalism, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. The conference will also explore ways journalists can use AI-powered tools and transparent verification processes to safeguard the accuracy and integrity of information in their reporting.
IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed stated that the gathering would assess the state of media freedom and journalists' safety in Nigeria, discuss policy and legal reforms needed to strengthen independent journalism, and foster constructive engagement between the media and government on transparency and accountability. The conference will also facilitate the exchange of best practices and global perspectives on protecting press freedom and promoting responsible journalism.
The event will feature the induction of new members into IPI Nigeria, expanding the organization's network and strengthening its commitment to defending press freedom and promoting responsible journalism in the country. The second day of the conference will be devoted to the organization's Annual General Meeting, an exclusive session for IPI Nigeria members.
During the AGM, members will receive and deliberate on reports from the Executive Committee, review the organization's activities and strategic direction, and consider new initiatives and partnerships to strengthen press freedom and journalists' safety in Nigeria. IPI, founded in 1950, is a global network of editors, media executives, and leading journalists spanning over 100 countries, championing the promotion, protection, and defense of press freedom and independent journalism worldwide.
The conference and AGM will bring together stakeholders to address the challenges posed by AI to media integrity and explore opportunities for collaboration and growth. With its rich history and global reach, IPI Nigeria's 2026 conference is poised to make a significant impact on the future of journalism and press freedom in Nigeria.
Key points
- IPI Nigeria's 2026 conference to focus on AI's impact on media integrity and journalism.
- The event aims to explore ways to utilize AI-powered verification tools to detect and counter misinformation.
- The conference will assess the state of media freedom and journalists' safety in Nigeria and discuss policy and legal reforms.
