Nigerian Government Urges Communicators To Defend Truth In The Digital Age
In commemoration of World Press Freedom Day 2025, the Federal Information Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in partnership with UNESCO Nigeria, hosted a two-day workshop in Abuja on Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for public information and relations officers.
The event with the theme “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”, spotlighted both the promise and peril of AI in journalism, urging professionals to champion truth in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the Director of Public Relations and Protocol in the ministry, Dr Suleiman Haruna, stressed the responsibility of government communicators to ensure technology enhances, not compromises, public trust. “Artificial Intelligence is reshaping our media environment. We must use it to reinforce transparency, not undermine it,” he warned.
UNESCO’s Head of Office in Abuja, Mr Albert Mendy, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the risks of AI-driven misinformation and calling for ethical safeguards rooted in frameworks like the Windhoek+30 Declaration. “In a world where algorithms can distort facts, protecting access to reliable information is key to lasting peace,” he said.
NUJ national and FCT leaders, Comrades Alhassan Yahya and Grace Ike, commended UNESCO’s ongoing support, noting the urgency of equipping journalists with digital skills to meet new challenges.
The workshop also saw the launch of Polity Today, the Chapel’s latest publication, aimed at strengthening government communication.
As the event drew close, participants applauded the initiative, calling for more hands-on training to navigate the intersection of technology, governance, and truth.
