Apostle Lawrence Achudume, lead cleric at Victory Life Bible Church International, has called on Nigerian journalists to uphold integrity and truth in an era increasingly complicated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Speaking at the yearly Thanksgiving Service of the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held at Victory Cathedral, Abeokuta, Achudume stressed the critical role of journalists as intermediaries between governance and the public.

“Journalists are custodians of integrity and fearlessness,” Achudume said. He warned that the profession must resist political partisanship, noting, “Journalists must not be partisan,” and urged practitioners to avoid influence by monetary inducements, adding, “You must not be allowed to be bought by money bags and should live up to expectation in the discharge of your duty.”

Addressing the impact of AI on journalism, Achudume cautioned, “The print media is now at risk; if care is not taken, it will lose out completely.” He highlighted the growing difficulty in distinguishing real from fake news, saying, “A time is coming when we will not be able to differentiate the real news and the fake news.” Linking misinformation to broader societal concerns, he stated, “Truth is the first casualty of war,” and emphasized the need for journalists to maintain professionalism even as online bloggers proliferate.

He stressed that nations require “sensible, resourceful, and reliable journalists” and warned that AI could exacerbate the spread of falsehoods if unchecked. “AI has come to do more harm,” Achudume said, urging Nigerian journalists, particularly those in Ogun State, to continually enhance their performance to remain relevant and effective.

In his remarks, Wale Olanrewaju, Ogun State NUJ Chairman, commended Achudume for his consistent support to journalists and paid tribute to the late Reverend Fola Achudume, describing her as “a virtuous woman of immense compassion, a beacon of goodness, and an exceptional leader whose impactful deeds and love for humanity left an enduring mark.”

The Thanksgiving Service, which also marked the NUJ Press Week 2023 under the theme “The Future of Journalism: Navigating AI and Objective Reporting,” provided a platform for media practitioners to reflect on ethical standards and the evolving challenges of reporting in the digital age.