…Demand press freedom reforms at Bagauda Kaltho lecture.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Stakeholders in the media industry have warned that the 2027 general elections face serious threat from Artificial Intelligence-generated misinformation, including fabricated results, deep fake videos and manipulated audio.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 8th Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture Series, organized by the Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF), to commemorate the posthumous birthday of investigative journalist, Bagauda Kaltho.
The lecture, which held on September 19, 2026, with the theme, ‘Courageous Journalism, Press Freedom and the Challenge of Election Misinformation Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections,’ had Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher and CEO of Premium Times, as keynote speaker.
Olorunyomi examined the historic role of journalism in Nigeria’s independence, democratic development and resistance to military rule, while highlighting emerging challenges in the digital age.
In its resolutions, the lecture noted that, while journalism played a historic role in national development, the digital transformation has disrupted traditional media business models, leading to economic pressures, poor remuneration for journalists and weakened institutions.
It expressed concern that the approach to 2027 presents significant challenges due to increasing use of AI to produce deceptive content, adding that the speed and reach of social media allow misinformation to spread faster than professional journalists and fact-checkers can respond.
The lecture also noted that journalists continue to face legal and institutional challenges, including concerns over the application of the Cybercrimes Act and other outdated laws that restrict press freedom.
To address the challenges, the communiqué recommended that journalists and media organisations strengthen professional and ethical standards, invest in continuous training on fact-checking, digital verification and investigative journalism, and promote a culture of verification rather than reproducing social media content.
It called on government and public institutions to support credible fact-checking mechanisms, strengthen constructive engagement between security agencies and the media, and review laws that restrict press freedom.
The lecture further urged technology companies and digital platforms to work with journalists and civil society to curb harmful disinformation, reduce viral distribution of false content, and support tools that help identify manipulated and AI-generated content.
It also emphasized the need to promote media literacy and critical thinking at community level, encouraging citizens to pause, verify and question information before sharing, particularly during elections.
The communiqué was signed by Titus Usman, Publisher of Jewel Treasure Newspaper, Gombe, and Sekyen Dadik, Executive Director, AMDF.
It called for a multi-stakeholder response involving journalists, government, tech companies, civil society and citizens to strengthen the information environment ahead of 2027, stressing that the legacy of Bagauda Kaltho remains a reminder of the risks journalists face in pursuit of truth.