Politics
WPFD 2025: Stakeholders Should Defend the Right to Truthful Information
By David Owei, Yenagoa.
As the global society marks World Press Freedom Day 2025, the Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) Hub of the International Press Centre, Lagos – Nigeria is calling on stakeholders to defend the right to truthful information.
The IPC-SPJ Hub recognises that the media is confronted with the defining challenge of the time — the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its profound implications for journalism, democracy, and the free flow of information. This year’s theme, “Reporting in the Brave World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” compels the media to examine how AI is reshaping truth, trust, and transparency in the media landscape while demanding urgent action to safeguard press freedom in Nigeria and across the globe.
The IPC-SPJ Hub call is contained in a statement announcing its activity to commemorate the 2025 edition of World Press Freedom Day through an event taking place in Lagos on Wednesday, May 7.
According to the statement, the International Press Centre (IPC), will hold a physical convening in Lagos under the theme: “Artificial Intelligence, The Media & Press Freedom: Issues & Perspectives”, to critically examine the implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on press freedom, while exploring the media’s evolving role in the digital age.
The event, during which IPC shall also present its report on the state of attacks on journalists in Nigeria, will focus on developing actionable strategies to enhance journalists’ safety and protect fundamental freedoms in an AI-driven media landscape. It will also bring together key stakeholders to propose concrete measures for advancing press freedom in Nigeria.
Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, World Press Freedom Day is celebrated around the world on May 3 every year as a reminder to governments of the need for them to respect their commitment to press freedom and create a safe and conducive environment for journalism and media practice.
Commenting on the theme for WPFD 2025 – “Reporting in the Brave World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, the International Press Centre, said: “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought unprecedented efficiencies to newsrooms, from automated fact-checking to data-driven investigative reporting. In Nigeria, media outlets leverage on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to track corruption and amplify underreported stories, demonstrating its potential as a tool for accountability.”
In spite of this Mr. Arogundade stated that, “the risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are escalating at an alarming pace: AI – Generated Disinformation is outpacing traditional journalism.
A 2024 Report by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) found that AI-powered fake news spreads faster than human-generated falsehoods, with Nigeria ranked among the top 10 African nations targeted by AI-driven disinformation campaigns.”
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) surveillance, among other things is silencing journalists.
Governments and private entities increasingly deploy AI-powered monitoring tools to track journalists. A 2024 UNESCO report revealed that 47% of Nigerian reporters have experienced AI-facilitated surveillance, including facial recognition tracking and predictive policing algorithms targeting critics,” Mr. Arogundade added.
On this occasion of WPFD 2025, IPC-SPJ reinforces the call that Artificial Intelligence (AI) must not become a tool for repressing Nigeria’s Press Freedom environment which is already strained by cybercrime laws, internet shutdowns and attacks on reporters, among others.
We demand immediate measures to ensure Artificial Intelligence (AI) serves democracy not undermining it.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not replace journalists, but without safeguards, it can replace truth with manipulation, accountability with control, and press freedom with algorithmic oppression. We therefore call on journalists, tech giants, lawmakers and citizens to defend the right to truthful information. The future of journalism must be brave, not automated.
By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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