By Comfort Olayinka
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, today joined media professionals worldwide in commemorating the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, with a resounding call for the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism.
Speaking at a commemorative event in Abuja, the NUJ FCT Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike, emphasized the urgent need for journalists to embrace AI-driven media innovations without compromising journalistic integrity or press freedom.
“This year’s theme, ‘Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,’ reminds us that while AI enhances news production, audience engagement, and fact-checking, it also poses ethical challenges including bias, authorship concerns, and the risk of automated censorship,” Ike noted.
She urged Nigerian journalists to remain grounded in local realities while adapting to global digital trends, cautioning against overdependence on AI tools that could erode editorial independence.
Comrade Ike praised the efforts of government bodies, civil society, and international partners in protecting media freedom and journalist safety, but stressed that more targeted action is needed to secure a truly free and independent press in Nigeria.
Reaffirming the NUJ’s dedication to ethical journalism and digital literacy, she called for inclusive collaboration among journalists, tech developers, regulators, and the public to ensure AI technologies uplift rather than endanger the media’s democratic mission.
“As technology evolves, our commitment to truth, fairness, and service to the public must remain unwavering,” she concluded.
World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3rd, honors the critical role of a free press in democratic societies and reinforces the global call for the protection of journalists and freedom of expression.
