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Port Harcourt – Experts in the technology and media sector have warned journalists, media professionals and public relations professionals against over-reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) and urged them to deploy technology responsibly while adhering to ethical principles.
Experts stressed that while AI has become an essential tool to improve newsroom efficiency, it should complement, not replace, human judgment, critical thinking, accuracy, and editorial oversight.
They spoke at a one-day virtual training on “Ethical and Responsible Use of AI in Journalism: Opportunities and Best Practices” hosted by the Step Up for Women in Journalism Initiative (SWIJ).
Cyrus Jonathan, lead facilitator and digital research research manager at the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), explained that AI in journalism is the application of advanced computing systems and algorithms to improve various aspects of news production.
He noted that AI remains a tool that requires human oversight and urged journalists to verify and fact-check all AI-generated content before publication.
According to Jonathan, while there are challenges with AI, such as over-reliance and deniability, it also offers significant opportunities, such as increasing efficiency, enhancing research, and expanding audience reach.
Fact-checking experts from Media Research, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and DUBAWA said the key challenge is not the technology itself, but the inability of users to apply the technology responsibly.
He highlighted that tools such as Google Trends, the OSINT platform, and Webmii are valuable resources for journalists, noting that AI has transformed news monitoring, investigation, and content production.
Despite concerns that AI could replace journalists, Jonathan argued that professionals who effectively incorporate technology into their work will gain a competitive advantage.
“AI will not take away journalists’ jobs. Journalists who use AI effectively will take the jobs of those who don’t,” he said.
Justina Ashishana, a journalist and media trainer at The Nation, spoke on “How to use AI to grow your career in journalism,” and warned journalists against relying on AI to prepare fellowship applications, grant proposals, letters of motivation, story pitches, and more.
She described AI as “co-pilot, not pilot” and urged journalists to use technology to enhance rather than replace their creativity, authentic voices and local perspectives.
He said AI has become an equalizer that allows journalists to overcome resource limitations and compete globally.
“The journalists who will succeed in the next decade will not necessarily be the ones with the biggest budgets or the most powerful computers. They will be the ones who know how to ask the right questions and use the right tools to get answers faster,” she said.
According to Ashishana, originality is a key competitive advantage because international editors and fellowship reviewers can easily identify common AI-generated submissions.
She argued that AI cannot replace important journalistic skills such as curiosity, ethical judgment, sound reporting, and strong writing.
“No amount of AI polish can replace an authentic reporting experience, clear writing, and clear impact on the community. AI simply helps us tell the story better,” she added.
Earlier, Step Up for Women in Journalism Initiative (SWIJ) team leader Anne Godwin said the training was designed to equip journalists and communications professionals with practical knowledge of the ethical and responsible use of AI and the opportunities it offers.
She said that while AI has made work faster and more efficient, professionals must ensure they don’t sacrifice accuracy, reliability and accountability for speed.
Godwin warned against a growing culture of over-reliance on AI, describing the technology as a tool designed to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity.
“AI is only as good as the humans using it. The quality of the prompts determines the quality of the results. When used thoughtfully and ethically, AI can produce remarkable results, but when approached lazily, it simply amplifies poor thinking,” she said.
He also highlighted the economic opportunities presented by AI and urged journalists, public relations professionals, writers and communicators to explore innovative ways to generate additional sources of income without compromising professional ethics.
Mr. Godwin noted that SWIJ remains committed to strengthening the capacity of journalists through training and strategic partnerships, adding that since its establishment, it has implemented several capacity-building initiatives with the support of partner organizations.
More than 32 participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and other countries took part in the virtual training, which was moderated by corporate and development communications expert Dr. Aduku Elizabeth Ojonogecha.
