Senator Fatai Buhari warns of AI threat to journalism
Senator Fatai Buhari of Oyo North has raised serious concerns about the dangers artificial intelligence poses to journalistic integrity, warning that unchecked use of AI technologies could deepen the crisis of misinformation and erode public trust in the media.
Speaking as guest lecturer at the 2025 World Press Freedom Day event organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, in Ibadan, Buhari said AI-generated content such as deepfakes and synthetic media are making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish between factual reporting and fabricated stories.
“AI systems often prioritize engagement over ethics,” he said. “This risks promoting sensationalism and undermining editorial values of accuracy and context.”
He called on media organizations to develop clear ethical guidelines to govern the use of AI, warning that automation must never replace journalistic judgment. “Rather than replacing journalists, AI should augment their capabilities,” he added.
Buhari, a three-term senator and former chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, also received the Guillermo Cano Media Award at the event, recognizing his contributions to press freedom and media development.
NUJ Vice President (Zone B), Ronke Afebioye-Samo, noted that Buhari emerged as the unanimous choice among five nominees after extensive vetting, lauding his accessibility to journalists and support for media causes.
The event also featured a keynote by Professor Rasaq Olatunde, Vice-Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, who emphasized that AI is neutral and its impact depends on the values of those who develop and apply it.
The ceremony gathered journalists, academics, and policymakers committed to upholding press freedom in the digital age.
