Abia State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, has cautioned journalists against publishing artificial intelligence-generated fake news and unverified reports ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Kanu gave the warning in Umuahia during the opening of the 2026 Media Retreat and Press Week organized by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council.
The programme, themed “The Future of Journalism in an Era of Disinformation: Preparing Abia Media Practitioners for Democracy and the 2027 Polls,” focused on the growing threat of misinformation and the responsibilities of journalists in protecting democratic institutions.
The commissioner urged media practitioners to prioritize accuracy, verification and responsible reporting rather than rushing to publish stories in the pursuit of breaking news.
He warned that artificial intelligence could be exploited to create fabricated images, clone people’s identities and produce fake audio recordings capable of misleading the public and manipulating political opinions.
Kanu maintained that press freedom must be exercised responsibly, stressing that journalists should not distort facts, misrepresent issues or manufacture narratives against individuals or government institutions.
He encouraged journalists to embrace digital literacy, investigative reporting, fact-checking and continuous professional development to remain effective in an increasingly technology-driven media environment.
According to him, the future of journalism depends on practitioners who can critically assess information, investigate claims and maintain public trust.
INEC Raises Concern Over Electoral Misinformation
Also speaking at the event, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abia State, Professor Sylvia Agu, described the media as a critical partner in ensuring credible elections.
Agu warned that the 2027 elections would be influenced not only by activities at polling units but also by the information circulating among voters and their confidence in the electoral process.
She stressed that misleading reports and false electoral narratives could undermine public trust in INEC and weaken confidence in democratic institutions.
The electoral commissioner urged journalists to verify election-related information through official channels and exercise caution when reporting results or claims from unofficial sources.
She also highlighted the importance of technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), in detecting discrepancies and strengthening electoral transparency.
Former Abia SSG Urges Journalists to Rebuild Public Trust
Former Secretary to the Abia State Government, Chief Ralph Egbu, called on journalists to resist propaganda, misinformation and politically motivated reporting.
Egbu expressed concern over declining public confidence in the media, urging practitioners to return to the principles of accuracy, fairness, balance and accountability.
He also encouraged journalists to investigate government activities independently instead of relying solely on official statements and unverified claims.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Deacon Steve Oko, said the three-day programme was designed to strengthen journalists’ professional capacity and prepare them for the challenges of covering the 2027 elections.
He expressed confidence that the retreat would equip participants with the skills needed to produce accurate, balanced and credible reports while helping to curb the spread of fake news.
The stakeholders agreed that responsible journalism, effective fact-checking and public access to reliable information would be essential to protecting Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 polls.
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