The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged media organisations to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation while upholding professional ethics, editorial independence and public trust....
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged media organisations to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation while upholding professional ethics, editorial independence and public trust.
Idris gave the advice on Thursday in Abuja at the unveiling of Media Trust Group’s converged newsroom, describing the initiative as a significant investment in the future of Nigerian journalism.
He congratulated the organisation’s board, management and staff on its growth from newspaper publishing into a diversified multimedia enterprise, noting that the integration of print, broadcast and digital platforms reflected changing audience expectations.
“Technology is fundamentally transforming journalism, creating exciting opportunities through artificial intelligence, data journalism and multimedia storytelling.
“However, innovation must strengthen, rather than diminish, the professional judgement, ethical standards and human responsibility upon which credible journalism rests,” he said.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu to press freedom, constructive engagement and journalists’ right to scrutinise public institutions.
He also emphasised the need for sustainable media business models to support employment, investment and national development.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Idris urged media organisations to prioritise accuracy, fairness and fact-checking while resisting sensationalism and disinformation.
He warned that AI-generated content, manipulated images and deepfakes posed growing threats to public trust and the integrity of democratic processes.
“The credibility of our democratic process depends, in no small measure, on the integrity of the information available to citizens,” he said.
Idris urged Media Trust Group to make its converged newsroom a centre of innovation, investigative excellence and responsible storytelling, stressing that journalism could inspire the public while maintaining its independence and critical role.
“The idea that journalism has to be exclusively adversarial is a myth that needs to be jettisoned,” he added.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, commended Media Trust Group for its entrepreneurial vision, professionalism and contributions to national development through investment and job creation.
He urged the organisation to sustain its ethical standards and use its platforms to promote national unity.
“What you are doing should always aim at uniting this country,” Barau said.
Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi described the organisation’s adoption of artificial intelligence as a major technological achievement, noting the increasing difficulty of distinguishing authentic content from fabricated images, videos and voices.
He called on media organisations to prioritise verification and responsible innovation.
“I want to congratulate Media Trust, which is the first in West Africa to establish an AI newsroom,” Namadi said.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the agency’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy supports AI adoption across sectors, including the media.
He stressed that technology should enhance rather than replace human capacity, urging journalists to deploy AI tools to strengthen verification and public confidence.
“Today, in the era of AI, we want to see you using AI to verify everything,” he said.
The unveiling was attended by media executives, chief executives of media organisations, senior government officials, industry stakeholders and other dignitaries.