2027: Govs, experts call for ethical journalism, AI regulation

During the launch of "Digital Shift in Nigeria’s Newspaper Industry," a book by Leadership Newspapers Group News Editor Sunday Isuwa, several key figures called for responsible journalism and stronger regulations surrounding artificial intelligence ahead of the 2027 general elections. Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna addressed the gathering, warning that hate speech, personal attacks, and the spread of unverified information could undermine democracy and public trust in the electoral process.

Both governors emphasized the importance of verifying facts and avoiding personality attacks during campaigns, urging journalists to focus on issues rather than targeting their opponents. Additionally, Archbishop Dr. Sunday Onuoha, a Vision Africa member and former Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Privatisation, advocated for the creation of AI policies within media organizations and the establishment of election verification teams before campaigns intensified.

He stressed the need for newsrooms to collaborate with fact-checking bodies and invest in specialized training for political reporters, covering areas such as electoral law, data journalism, digital investigations, AI detection, conflict-sensitive reporting, and hate-speech monitoring. Isuwa, the book's author, cautioned journalists against compromising accuracy and public trust in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of ethical practice, careful verification, fairness, and serving the public.

He highlighted the challenges posed by misinformation, shifting business models, and declining public confidence in the newspaper industry, while acknowledging the potential benefits of digital tools when used responsibly.