Nasarawa Govt, NUJ Advocate Responsible Use of AI in Modern Journalism
— Commend Media Stakeholders at One-Day Training on Emerging Trends in Journalism Practice
By Suleiman Abubakar Rim Uku Lafia
The Nasarawa State Government and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have called for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern journalism practice, emphasizing ethics, accuracy, and professionalism amid rapid technological transformation of the media industry.
Governor Abdullahi Sule commended media practitioners for their commitment to capacity building and professional development.
The governor was represented at the event by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Hon. Peter Ahemba.
The commendation was made during a one-day engagement organized by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in collaboration with the NUJ, themed “New Trends in Journalism Profession: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Modern Journalism.”
In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajiya Hadiza Dahiru, described the training as timely, noting that AI has become a defining force in global media transformation.
She explained that Artificial Intelligence is reshaping news gathering, production, verification, and distribution, while also introducing challenges such as misinformation, ethical concerns, job security, and credibility issues.
According to her, “As media professionals, we must embrace innovation while upholding truth, accuracy, fairness, accountability, and professionalism.
This engagement provides a platform for knowledge sharing and practical insights on adapting positively to these realities.”
She reaffirmed the Nasarawa State Government’s commitment to supporting media development, capacity building, and policies that promote responsible journalism.
Similarly, the Chairman of the NUJ Nasarawa State Council, Mohammed Alkali, described the training as a deliberate effort to equip journalists with the skills required to remain relevant in an evolving media environment.
He noted that AI is already influencing global journalism practices through automated reporting, transcription, data analysis, and content personalization, adding that journalists must not remain passive observers.
“The world of journalism is undergoing a seismic shift. We must be participants, practitioners, and pace-setters in the use of these tools,” he said.
Alkali, however, cautioned that while AI offers opportunities for improved efficiency, investigative reporting, and fact-checking, it must be used responsibly to preserve public trust and journalistic integrity.
He urged journalists to uphold ethical standards, accuracy, and fairness while leveraging AI tools to enhance storytelling and public service reporting.
Resource persons at the training included Shehu Ibrahim, Dr. Kalu Idika, and Dr. Musa Abdullahi, who were commended for their contributions toward strengthening media capacity in the state.
The training featured discussions on AI-driven journalism tools, misinformation management, data journalism, and ethical considerations in digital reporting.
