Safer-Media Initiative Trains Nigerian Journalists on Ethical AI, Warns Against Data Misuse

In a bid to strengthen ethical journalism in the age of artificial intelligence, the Safer-Media Initiative has trained journalists in Abuja on responsible AI use and data protection, cautioning against the misuse of sensitive information in newsroom operations.

The workshop, held on Thursday, aimed to equip media practitioners with the knowledge to leverage AI tools safely while safeguarding accuracy, privacy, and ethical standards in reporting.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director of the initiative, Peter Ioter, described AI as a disruptive force transforming how news is sourced, processed, and distributed.

He highlighted a concerning imbalance: while nearly 95 percent of journalists reportedly use AI tools weekly, only 10 percent have received formal training. “Journalists who are not conversant with AI risk being left behind,” he warned.

Founder of Generative AI Journalism, Titilope Fadare Oparinde, urged journalists to maintain human oversight, stressing that uncritical reliance on AI could produce fabricated quotes, statistics, or “hallucinations.”

She also warned against uploading confidential documents or sensitive transcripts into public AI platforms, as such data could be exposed in future outputs.

The Country Director of Dataphyte, Oluseyi Olufemi, showcased Nubia AI, a new tool designed to convert verified datasets into localized news stories, including outputs in indigenous languages.

He emphasised that all AI-generated stories undergo rigorous human editorial review, reinforcing accuracy, context, and ethical responsibility.

Olufemi explained that the system follows a six-stage editorial pipeline, from verified data input with personal identifiers removed, to AI story generation and final human editing.

“Our model keeps humans in the loop, rejecting fully automated publishing,” he said, noting that editors refine language, verify assumptions, and ensure stories meet professional standards.

Participants were also trained to label AI-generated content clearly, including images, as part of transparency and accountability measures.

The Abuja workshop follows previous sessions held in Benin City and Lagos, as the Safer-Media Initiative continues its nationwide campaign to promote responsible AI adoption and ethical reporting practices in Nigeria’s media landscape.