World Press Freedom Day: CITAD Explores Impact of AI on Journalism with Students
By Mustapha Salisu
To commemorate World Press Freedom Day 2025, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), on Saturday, held a sensitization session at Kano State Polytechnic’s Mass Communication Department, focusing on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping journalism.
Ali Sabo, CITAD’s Digital Rights Officer, explained that this year’s theme highlights the growing impact of AI on press freedom, warning that while AI aids journalism, it also raises ethical concerns.
“AI lacks human sensitivity and can misrepresent stories. It also threatens journalism jobs by doing tasks quicker and cheaper,” Sabo said.
He stressed the need to equip students with knowledge to responsibly use AI tools and face emerging industry challenges.
Sabo advised students to be creative, innovative, and hardworking so they can use AI as a tool rather than be replaced by it.
Also speaking, Isa Ali Musa, from MetroGate Innovations, highlighted the potential of AI to replace journalists, a trend already visible in some countries and emerging in Nigeria. He warned that AI could significantly change the role of journalists in the future.
Musa advised journalists to stay updated on new AI tools, emphasizing that in the future, they may be hired to supervise AI-generated content rather than produce news themselves.
He stressed that journalists will be needed to detect biases, including algorithmic and language biases, as well as negative stereotypes in AI content, ensuring ethical standards are maintained.
On his part, Salihu Sule Khalid, from the Department of Mass Communication, explained how AI enhances journalism by improving efficiency, content creation, and reducing costs.
Khalid also connected AI with press freedom, warning that it could undermine democracy by amplifying powerful voices and spreading misinformation, thereby threatening pluralism and cohesion in society.
He advised journalists to embrace AI as a tool, emphasizing the importance of creativity, ethical practices, and human oversight to ensure responsible use of AI in journalism.
