Key points
- Communication scholar urges media organisations to rigorously verify AI-generated content ahead of the 2027 elections.
- Newsrooms advised to treat unverified AI-generated videos, images and audio as potentially deceptive.
- Media organisations encouraged to adopt AI verification protocols and strengthen collaboration with fact-checkers.
- RATTAWU says the summit aims to promote responsible media practice and protect electoral integrity.
Main story
Media organisations have been urged to strengthen verification processes for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated content to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections.
The President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, Rotimi Olatunji, made the call while delivering the keynote address at a Safe Democracy Summit organised by the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Electoral Integrity in an AI Era: Role of Responsible Media and Culture in Safeguarding Democracy,” Olatunji said AI offers significant opportunities for democratic participation but also poses serious risks if manipulated to spread false or misleading information.
He urged newsrooms to regard AI-generated videos, images and other digital content as potentially deceptive until their authenticity had been independently verified.
“If a video or image cannot be independently confirmed, then leave it out,” he said.
Olatunji recommended that media organisations adopt strict verification procedures by tracing the origin of content, identifying the first uploader, examining metadata where available, conducting reverse image searches and cross-checking information with multiple credible sources before publication.
He also called on media organisations to establish dedicated AI verification protocols and train journalists to detect cloned voices, manipulated screenshots and synthetic text.
According to him, stronger collaboration between news organisations and independent fact-checking organisations will be essential as AI-generated misinformation becomes more sophisticated.
“In the 2027 elections, verification must be treated not as an option but as a democratic duty,” he said.
Olatunji noted that technology has progressively improved Nigeria’s electoral process over the years, citing the introduction of electronic data capture in 2007, biometric voter registration in 2011, and the deployment of Permanent Voter Cards and card readers in 2015.
He, however, warned that the rapid advancement of AI presents new challenges capable of undermining public confidence in elections if not responsibly managed.
He added that findings from a study conducted by his association showed that media coverage during previous elections had frequently focused on ethnicity and religion, while hate speech reached its peak during the 2015 general elections.
Olatunji stressed that democracy depends not only on technology but also on credible institutions, ethical political leadership, responsible journalism and an informed citizenry.
“If media organisations become ethical, culturally grounded and technologically disciplined, AI can strengthen democracy instead of weakening it,” he said.
Earlier, RATTAWU National President, Emeka Kalu, said the summit formed part of the union’s efforts to promote responsible media practice and strengthen democratic governance.
Kalu said the forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss emerging challenges affecting journalism and Nigeria’s democratic process, expressing confidence that it would generate practical recommendations for safeguarding electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The issues
The rapid growth of AI-generated content has increased concerns about deepfakes, misinformation and digital manipulation, raising fresh challenges for election reporting and public trust in democratic processes.
What’s being said
“In the 2027 elections, verification must be treated not as an option but as a democratic duty.” — Rotimi Olatunji, President, Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria
What’s next
Media organisations are expected to strengthen AI verification systems, improve newsroom capacity and work more closely with fact-checking organisations as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Bottom line
As AI becomes more sophisticated, the credibility of the 2027 elections will depend in part on how effectively news organisations verify digital content before publication.
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