Media professionals have called for stronger verification practices and greater protection for journalists as Nigeria prepares for its 2027 general election.
A communiqué issued on Tuesday following the eighth Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture warned that AI-generated election results, fabricated videos and manipulated audio could undermine electoral credibility.
Participants said false information was spreading through social media faster than journalists and fact-checkers could challenge it.
The Africa Media Development Foundation organised the lecture to mark the late investigative journalist’s birthday. Its executive director, Sekyen Dadik, and Jewel Treasure Newspaper publisher Titus Usman signed the communiqué.
The statement urged newsrooms to invest in digital verification, investigative reporting and AI training. It also highlighted financial pressures, poor pay and concerns about laws restricting press freedom, including the application of the Cybercrimes Act.
Participants called on government bodies, technology companies and civil society organisations to support fact-checking and help identify manipulated content.
They also recommended media literacy programmes in schools, religious organisations and communities, encouraging people to check information before sharing it.
Protecting reliable journalism and enabling reporters to scrutinise those in power required a shared commitment, the communiqué said.
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