Abia State Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu warned journalists in Umuahia on Wednesday that the 2027 general elections could be hijacked by AI‑generated fake news, political propaganda and coordinated disinformation campaigns.
He cautioned that fabricated images, manipulated videos, fake audio recordings and misleading reports could be used by political interests to sway public opinion, undermine democratic institutions and create electoral tension.
Commissioner Kanu urged media practitioners to prioritise accuracy and verification over the pressure to break news, insisting that a viral story is not necessarily true.
He warned against becoming instruments of political manipulation, particularly through fabricated election results, misleading opinion polls, false endorsements and unverified allegations. Kanu challenged correspondents to scrutinise government projects independently, visit sites, engage beneficiaries and report both achievements and shortcomings.
Former Abia Commissioner for Information and columnist Pastor Ralph Egbu lamented the growing trust deficit in journalism, calling on reporters to lead the fight against quackery and defend the profession’s integrity. He stressed that truth and objectivity remain core ethics, and that journalists must hold public authorities accountable and use their agenda‑setting influence to promote developmental issues.
Egbu urged journalists to ask difficult questions, shine a light on society and discharge their watchdog responsibilities without fear or favour. He declared that “there must be a radical commitment to truth and verification,” and warned that the influence of artificial intelligence and money could damage journalism if integrity is not guarded.
The warnings were delivered while opening the three‑day Media Retreat and Press Week of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abia State Council. The retreat, themed “The Future of Journalism in an Era of Disinformation: Preparing Abia Media Practitioners for Democracy and the 2027 Polls,” attracted over 50 media practitioners and ran from 4 November to 6 November, concluding with awards of excellence to distinguished personalities.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
