By Joy Odor
Oak Center Media Capacity-Building Workshop in Abuja on Thursday brought together the National Assembly (NASS), New Media Forum (NANMF) journalists to address the growing challenge of disinformation, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media.
Michael Adewumi, the Facilitator in his PowerPoint presentation noted that while AI offers opportunities, it also presents serious risks to credibility in journalism.
“Your name is at stake, and so is your medium’s reputation,” he told participants. “We must be careful about what we publish, ensure fact-checking, and protect our credibility at all costs.”
He recalled how the advent of social media initially disrupted news verification processes, adding that the integration of AI into online platforms has made false information even harder to detect.
“We are back to an era where disinformation comes with ‘proof’, fake videos, doctored images, and fabricated audio,” he said.
The interactive training session divided participants into two groups to conduct practical exercises, including a “threat map” to identify challenges faced when dealing with false content, and a “parliamentary source map” to list credible sources for verifying information from the National Assembly and other government bodies.
According to the Michael, the goal was to sharpen journalists’ skills in distinguishing between authentic and misleading content, particularly in political reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Before publishing, we must verify from trusted sources,” he stressed. “This is the only way to remain credible in an environment flooded with manipulated narratives.”
The workshop concluded with a commitment from participants to strengthen fact-checking procedures and rely on credible parliamentary, institutional, and official sources when producing news.
