Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on editors and journalists to uphold professional standards, fact-checking, and verification mechanisms to counter AI-generated disinformation during elections. He made this appeal at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, themed “The Ballot, The Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive.” Shettima emphasized the importance of responsible reporting in strengthening democracy.
The conference, organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), brought together notable figures, including governors and the INEC chairman. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu and Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa stressed the need for responsible reporting to protect the integrity of the 2027 general elections. They highlighted the media's role in promoting accountability and advancing national development.
Shettima also acknowledged the positive impact of President Bola Tinubu's administration reforms in various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, oil and gas, and services. However, he noted that the ultimate test of these reforms was their effect on the cost of living, purchasing power, jobs, and the quality of life of Nigerians. The vice president commended the NGE for sustaining the conference.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, emphasized the crucial role of credible information in the 2027 general elections. He urged editors to prioritize verification in newsroom culture and asked journalists to establish the reliability of sources and evidence supporting their stories. Idris was represented by the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ali Mohammed Ali.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, stressed that the commission and the media must remain above suspicion ahead of the 2027 elections. He highlighted the interdependence of a free media and a credible electoral process. Amupitan, represented by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka-Chukwu, warned that a flawed election process or corrupted information space would undermine the nation's democracy.
The NGE President, Mr Eze Anaba, noted that the media had a significant responsibility to ensure the credibility of the ballot and electoral outcomes. He emphasized the importance of editors as gatekeepers of information, particularly in the era of social media, AI deepfakes, and misinformation. Anaba highlighted the need for voters to have access to credible information to make informed choices freely.
The conference featured the unveiling of a book, "Truth, Trust and the Future of Nigerian Journalism," and the presentation of awards to Governor Peter Mbah and John Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the keynote speaker. The event provided a platform for discussions on issues affecting Nigeria's democracy and the media's role in shaping public discourse.
Key points
- Vice President Kashim Shettima urges editors to strengthen professional standards to detect AI-generated disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, stresses the need for the commission and the media to remain above suspicion ahead of the 2027 elections.
- The media plays a vital role in promoting accountability, advancing national development, and ensuring the credibility of the ballot and electoral outcomes.
