By Cynthia Batuta
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has charged information and public relations officers across government ministries and agencies, to remain steadfast in upholding truth in the era of Artificial Intelligence.
Idris stated this Thursday in his remarks at the opening ceremony of a 2-day capacity building workshop for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Abuja.
Themed “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” the workshop also marks Today also marks the official launch of ‘Polity Today., a publication of the Federal Information Chapel.
Represented by Director, Public Relations and Protocol of the ministry, Suleiman Haruna, the minister said while Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the media landscape, it also raises important ethical questions around misinformation.
He said: “We are navigating an era where Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping the media landscape, altering how news is gathered, verified, disseminated, and consumed.
“While AI offers immense potential to enhance efficiency, improve accuracy, and expand reach, it also raises important ethical questions around misinformation, privacy, and editorial control.
“For Information and Public Relations Officers across government ministries and agencies, this theme is a call to action. We must embrace innovation while remaining steadfast in upholding truth, transparency, and public trust.
“Our role is to ensure that the use of new technologies strengthens, not undermines, accountable communication in service to the public.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman, federal information chapel, Comrade Raphael Towoju,said the theme of the workshop is apt for a ministry entrusted with shaping public narratives, managing government communication, and safeguarding national reputation. As Information and PR professionals.
“We operate at the intersection of journalism, governance, and technology a space that demands not only competence, but foresight and adaptability.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is redefining the way news is gathered, disseminated, and consumed. While it presents exciting opportunities for enhancing communication, it also raises critical questions about misinformation, media ethics, human agency, and the very essence of press freedom,” he said.
He said the workshop is designed to sharpen the skills of information officers in media and information literacy and help them better understand emerging technologies.
The workshop was attended by the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, the Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, the Director International Institute of Journalism, IIJ Abuja, among other dignitaries.