By Abdullahi Lukman
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has charged Nigerian media organisations to ensure that digital innovation and artificial intelligence do not erode ethical standards, professional judgement and editorial independence.
Idris gave the charge on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Abuja at the unveiling of Media Trust Group’s AI-powered converged newsroom at its corporate headquarters.
The Minister, who was Guest Speaker at the event, described the facility — which integrates the operations of Daily Trust, Aminiya, Trust TV, Trust Radio and Digital Trust into a single collaborative newsroom — as a bold and significant investment in the future of Nigerian journalism.
“Technology is fundamentally transforming journalism, creating exciting opportunities through artificial intelligence, data journalism and multimedia storytelling. However, innovation must strengthen, rather than diminish, the professional judgement, ethical standards and human responsibility upon which credible journalism rests,” he said.
He said the Federal Government remains committed to press freedom and the media’s constitutional role in holding public officials accountable, but noted that freedom must be exercised with responsibility and commitment to national interest.
Idris warned that as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the media will be confronted with an avalanche of political propaganda, allegations, counter-allegations and AI-manipulated content.
He urged newsrooms to prioritize verification and fact-checking over speed and virality, stressing that the integrity of the electoral process depends on the quality of information available to citizens.
“Media organisations must ensure that factual information, rather than political interests or personal biases, guides news reporting and public commentary. Democracy depends on credible information,” Idris said.
The Minister cautioned against prioritizing audience engagement and clicks over accuracy, noting that fabricated images, cloned voices and doctored videos have made the verification of information increasingly difficult.
He called on media organisations to invest in staff training and fact-checking tools and to collaborate across competitive lines to combat misinformation, despite industry rivalry.
Idris also challenged the growing culture of adversarial journalism, saying the press must also find space to inspire hope and promote unity.
“The idea that journalism has to be exclusively adversarial is a myth that needs to be jettisoned. Every headline does not always need to be critical. You need a headline that inspires us as a nation, a headline that promotes unity,” he said.
He urged journalists to balance reports of failures and challenges with reports of progress, reforms and achievements that positively impact the lives of Nigerians.
The event was attended by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, Special Guest of Honour, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, Deputy Governor of Gombe State Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, NAN Director-General Ali M. Ali and other stakeholders.
Also present were former executive management of Media Trust group: Akogun Isiaq Ajibola, Malam Mannir Dan-Ali, and Alhaji Aliu Akoshile who are also shareholders of the company.
