Ododo to Journalists: Stand for Truth in the Age of AI

As the world marks the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has made a clarion call for journalists to uphold truth and integrity in the face of growing technological disruption, particularly from artificial intelligence.

In a statement released through his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah, Governor Ododo aligned with this year’s theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.” He acknowledged the increasing complexity of modern journalism, emphasizing the importance of human ethics in an age of machine-generated content.

“In this brave new world,” the governor asked, “who controls the narrative? How do we ensure accuracy in an age of machine-generated content? And above all, how do we protect the essence of journalism—its human judgment, ethics, and accountability?”

Governor Ododo reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to press freedom, describing it as both a democratic necessity and a governance imperative. He pledged to maintain an enabling environment for journalists in Kogi State and encouraged media professionals to hold government accountable, provided it is done responsibly.

“A silenced press is the enemy of progress,” he warned, “but freedom without responsibility is more dangerous in any society.”

The governor urged journalists to embrace emerging technologies such as AI, not as threats but as tools to enhance their work—without losing sight of core journalistic values.

“Use technology to elevate your reach, not to compromise your ethics. Let us ensure that AI enhances journalism but does not erase its essence as a pillar of democracy,” he said.

Ododo also called on national stakeholders to take deliberate steps to protect journalists and uphold editorial independence in the face of technological evolution.

His message adds to growing global discussions about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the media landscape and the urgent need to safeguard the integrity of journalism in the digital age.