Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa has called on newsroom leaders across the nation to urgently fortify their verification systems, build robust fact-checking capacity and enforce ethical technology standards.

He said the move would help combat the growing menace of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated disinformation threatening Nigeria’s democracy.

Mr Namadi made the call while addressing a gathering of editors-in-chief and senior media executives on the theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” with a subtheme, “When Lies Look Real…”

He spoke on Saturday in Enugu at the 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC 2026), organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

“For me, the challenge before editors should not be about ‘breaking news’—who breaks the news first—but about ensuring responsible publishing, protecting the truth, and helping citizens understand it with clarity and confidence,” he said.

He warned that emerging AI tools, advanced image-editing software, and digital platforms have made it easier to manufacture convincing text, audio, and video falsehoods capable of mimicking reality, manipulating public perception, and destabilising electoral integrity.

“In this era of digital transformation, AI-based disinformation is among the most serious threats to modern democracy.

“Credible elections depend not only on the ballot box, but also on well-informed citizens who can make their choices free from deceptive narratives, lies that look real, or AI-generated falsehoods designed to appear real,” he said.

He reminded media leaders that while technological tools facilitate modern news production, the editor remains the crucial final line of defence for accuracy, fairness, balance, ethics, and national responsibility.

To mitigate the rapid spread of harmful online false narratives, the governor outlined key strategies for media houses and policymakers.

He particularly stressed that media organisations must prioritise institutional verification tools, train reporters in digital literacy, and foster cross-platform collaboration to identify and debunk fake news before it spreads.

Pointing to Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act (as amended in 2024) and Section 123 of the Electoral Act 2022, Mr Namadi advocated fair, rights-respecting enforcement against deliberate malicious falsehoods without infringing on press freedom or legitimate public discourse.

He equally urged governments and media entities to collaborate on sustained public education campaigns to help citizens recognise and reject manipulated content.

Illustrating practical approaches to combating misinformation, MR Namadi highlighted Jigawa’s Gwamnati da Jama’a (Citizens’ Engagement) programme, which took government leadership directly to citizens across all 27 local government areas of the state.

He explained that the programme presented scorecards, answered questions, and built public trust.

“Jigawa is building on this momentum through a new Digital Social Responsibility Programme, complementing the recently signed Mass Mobilisation for Societal Reorientation Executive Order No. 2 of 2026.

“The initiative aims to enhance digital literacy, promote civic responsibility, and strengthen democratic resilience against digitally manufactured falsehoods,” he said.

Reflecting on the NGE’s 65-year history since its founding in 1961, Mr Namadi paid tribute to founding pioneers such as Lateef Jakande, as well as eminent past leaders.

He identified the past leaders as Tony Momoh, Chris Okolie, Ray Ekpu, Garba Shehu, Oluremi Oyo and Bala Dan Tiye, under whose tenure ANEC was inaugurated in 2004.

Commending current NGE president, Eze Anaba, and the host state, Enugu, Mr Namadi urged the guild to maintain high ethical standards, hold erring members accountable, and champion truth in service of national unity. 

(NAN)