Technology is here to stay. Its benefits are undeniable, but its dangers are just as real. It is up to us — as journalists, students, and digital citizens — to ensure it is used wisely, ethically, and always in service of the truth.
There is so much to learn these days — beyond the four walls of a classroom — especially through online platforms. One such enlightening experience was the virtual seminar hosted by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) on 8 July.
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This article is a joint reflection from me and two fellow PRNigeria interns, Egiganya Jo-Madugu and Bilkisu Ahmed Shekarau, who also participated in the session.
The seminar was moderated by Glory Itiafe, a broadcast journalist with Diamond 88.5 FM, Osun State. The distinguished panelists included David Ajikobi, Nigeria Editor at Africa Check; Ebunoluwa Olafusi, Head of the Fact-Check Desk at TheCable; and Kemi Busari, Editor at Dubawa and winner of WSCIJ’s 2023 online journalism award. Also present was Olaoluwa Adeleye, programme officer at WSCIJ.
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The session’s theme — “Indulging Technology: The Double-Edged Force Behind Misinformation and Its Detection” — explored how technology can both serve and subvert the pursuit of truth.
As Itiafe rightly stated in her opening, technology today is “both a blessing and a burden.” It is not just a tool for disseminating information, but also a weapon for distorting it. The seminar delved into how digital innovation is shaping — and often reshaping — our perception of reality. The question at the heart of the conversation was: Is technology helping us discover truth or blurring the lines between reality and deception?
As participants, we acknowledged that technology has become a powerful agent of three major information disorders: misinformation, which is the unintentional sharing of false or inaccurate information; disinformation, the deliberate spread of falsehoods to mislead; and malinformation, the use of factual information in a misleading context to cause harm.
Panelist Olaoluwa Adeleye emphasised that while digital platforms offer great tools for discovery and reporting, they are equally exploited to influence public opinion and drown out truth through manipulated narratives.
This concern raises an even broader question: is human judgment losing its relevance in the age of artificial intelligence (AI)? While there’s no definitive answer, the consensus was that the value of technology lies in how it is used. Like any tool, its impact depends on intent and regulation.
David Ajikobi recalled a previous WSCIJ seminar in October 2024 in Abuja, which focused on “AI and the Future of Investigative Journalism.” He noted that while AI offers support to journalistic work, it also introduces significant complications. A core issue is that many AI tools — especially foreign-developed ones — lack the cultural and contextual understanding needed to effectively serve Nigerian media spaces. This often results in biased outputs or inaccurate fact-checks.
Another challenge, he said, stems from the growing reliance on digital tools by untrained or self-proclaimed journalists, making it harder for the average person to differentiate between authentic and fabricated news.
Despite these concerns, technology does offer substantial advantages. Fact-checkers use bots and algorithms to swiftly discredit falsehoods and identify manipulated content. AI can be both the source and the solution to misinformation.
Yet, as AI continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly difficult for humans to keep pace. Ebunoluwa Olafusi raised concerns about the diminished role of human editorial judgment in today’s media environment. She explained that AI, while useful, cannot replace human reasoning or the editorial insight needed to analyse and contextualise complex issues. She mentioned certain AI-powered tools used to detect image distortions — helpful, yes, but often inaccurate, and requiring the intervention of media experts.
The discussion also focused on future safeguards. One key recommendation was the regulation of AI tools and platforms to ensure responsible usage. Panelists urged researchers and content creators to be more innovative and intelligent in their application of digital tools. This would ensure that human intellect remains relevant and irreplaceable, even in an AI-dominated future.
As the seminar approached its conclusion, Itiafe opened the floor for a question-and-answer session, allowing listeners to share perspectives and seek clarifications. Each panelist then gave a final remark, reinforcing the need for balance between technology and human oversight.
What became clear from the session is that AI is not just influencing how we work — it is also reshaping what we do. A notable example is TVC News, which recently launched Nigeria’s first AI-powered multilingual news anchors. While this is an impressive technological leap, it also raises concerns about job displacement. Will AI eventually take over human roles in media and communication? Will journalists and news producers be replaced by code and algorithms?
These are questions we must confront with urgency. The seminar underscored the need for digital literacy, ethical innovation, and responsible AI use. As technology continues to evolve, so too must our critical thinking and ethical frameworks.
Technology is here to stay. Its benefits are undeniable, but its dangers are just as real. It is up to us — as journalists, students, and digital citizens — to ensure it is used wisely, ethically, and always in service of the truth.
Aisha Ibrahim Halilu is a Mass Communication student at Nile University and an intern with communication form in Abuja. She can be reached via: [email protected]
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