Maida Urges Journalists to Embrace AI Without Sacrificing Ethics, Accuracy

 

By Adeleke Olubanwo 

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has urged journalists to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies without compromising accuracy, ethics, credibility and public trust. The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, has cautioned Nigerian journalists against sacrificing accuracy and professional ethics for speed and creativity in the age of Artificial Intelligence, warning that sophisticated AI-generated images, audio and other digital content could make misinformation increasingly difficult to detect.

Maida made the call while speaking at a media sensitisation workshop organised by The Press Society, with the theme, “Balancing Creativity and Ethics in the Media in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.”

He described the theme of the workshop as timely, noting that AI was rapidly transforming journalism, news production and the way information was disseminated to the public.

According to him, AI is already reshaping newsrooms by assisting journalists with research, data analysis, interview transcription, translation and audience engagement.

However, the NCC chief executive cautioned that the technology also presents significant risks, particularly the spread of misinformation, manipulated images, synthetic audio and other forms of deceptive digital content.

He stressed that technological advancement must not displace the fundamental principles of journalism, insisting that verification, professional judgement, evidence, accuracy, accountability and commitment to truth must remain central to responsible reporting.

Maida warned journalists against assuming that sophisticated or convincing digital content was necessarily factual, urging them to subject information generated or manipulated through technology to proper verification before publication.

He also highlighted the importance of telecommunications infrastructure to the development of AI and other digital innovations in Nigeria.

Maida disclosed that the country had approximately 179.64 million active telecommunications subscriptions, more than 157 million mobile internet subscriptions and over 121 million broadband subscriptions as of May 2026.

He said the figures underscored the growing importance of telecommunications connectivity to Nigerians’ daily lives and economic activities.

According to him, AI depends on data, while the availability and movement of data depend on reliable telecommunications networks.

He therefore called for sustained investment in broadband infrastructure, network resilience, cybersecurity, consumer protection and the protection of critical digital infrastructure.

On regulation, Maida said the NCC’s responsibility was to create an environment that would support innovation while ensuring security, fairness, accountability and public trust.

He stressed that regulation should not be viewed as an obstacle to technological advancement, but as a means of ensuring that innovation develops in a responsible and sustainable manner.

The NCC boss also urged the media to strengthen its role in educating citizens about emerging technologies, cybersecurity, consumer rights and the need to protect telecommunications infrastructure.

He identified five key principles that should guide journalism in the era of AI: verification must remain non-negotiable; convincing technology does not necessarily produce truthful content; journalists must rely on authoritative sources and evidence; technology reporting should reflect both its opportunities and risks; and public trust and credibility must remain the media’s greatest assets.

Maida said Nigeria’s digital future required greater collaboration among government, industry, educational institutions, the media and citizens.

While technology could accelerate the production and distribution of information, he maintained that it could not replace integrity, sound professional judgement and the journalist’s commitment to truth.

He urged media practitioners to take advantage of AI and digital innovation while ensuring that the pursuit of speed and creativity never comes at the expense of accuracy, ethics, credibility and public trust.

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