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

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf. Photo: Kano State Government

Governors Abba Yusuf (Kano) and Uba Sani (Kaduna), media experts and other stakeholders have called for responsible journalism, stronger measures against misinformation and clear guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They made the call at the launch of Digital Shift in Nigeria’s Newspaper Industry, a book authored by Leadership Newspapers Group News Editor, Sunday Isuwa, in Abuja on Thursday.

They warned that hate speech, personal attacks and the spread of unverified information could undermine democratic institutions and erode public confidence in the electoral process.

Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, Yusuf expressed concern over the increasing use of hate speech and personal attacks during political campaigns.

He described the trend as unhealthy for democracy and urging politicians to focus on issues rather than attacking their opponents.

Kano state Governor stated, “What we are seeing is not really healthy to our democracy, particularly the practices of hate speech that we are witnessing and turning politics into personality attacks.”

Sani, on his part, also called on journalists to verify information carefully and ensure their reports promote democratic development.

Represented by the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, the Kaduna governor urged journalists to look beyond campaign coverage by investigating claims, establishing facts and assessing the potential impact of their reports on national stability.

He stated, “In these elections, we must look beyond just reporting events, look very deeply, verify facts, and ensure what we report is contributing to democracy.

“Campaigns will end. Posters will end. Candidates, of course, some will win and some will lose. But at the end of the day, what is more important is this corporate entity called Nigeria.”

Earlier, the President of Vision Africa and former Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Privatisation, Archbishop Dr Sunday Onuoha, urged media organisations to develop clear policies guiding the use of artificial intelligence in journalism ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Represented by the Methodist Bishop of Kubwa Diocese, Bishop Frederick Onoja, Onuoha made the recommendations while presenting a paper at the event.

He also called for the establishment of dedicated election verification teams in newsrooms before political campaigns gathered momentum.

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“Develop newsroom AI policies with written rules governing AI-generated material and AI-assisted journalism,” he said.

Onuoha also urged media organisations to collaborate with reputable fact-checking bodies, noting that newsrooms might find it difficult to tackle disinformation effectively without joint efforts.

He further advocated specialised training for political reporters in electoral law, data journalism, digital investigations, AI detection, conflict-sensitive reporting and hate-speech monitoring.

In his welcome address, the author, Isuwa, warned journalists against compromising accuracy, professional ethics and public trust in the rush to publish stories in the digital age.

He identified the spread of misinformation, shifting business models and declining public confidence as major challenges facing the newspaper industry.

The book’s author stated, “Digital tools can help journalism reach more people and tell stories in new ways. But technology alone cannot guarantee good journalism.

“That still depends on ethical practice, careful verification, fairness, and commitment to serving the public.”

Isuwa said the book explored the ways digital platforms had reshaped how news is produced, distributed and consumed, while drawing attention to the responsibilities arising from these changes.

He said the publication aimed to improve media literacy and encourage journalists to adopt new technologies while upholding the profession’s core principles.

“We need conversations that help journalists adapt without losing the principles that make their work valuable. We need readers who can engage critically with the news they encounter,” Isuwa said.

Ahead of the January 16, 2027, presidential election, AI-generated fake news has proliferated across social media platforms in Nigeria.

Consequently, stakeholders have urged media professionals to leverage the same AI tools to identify and combat misinformation.