As Nigeria joined the global community in commemorating World Press Freedom Day 2025 on Friday, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, stressed the need for increased support for journalists navigating the complexities of artificial intelligence within the evolving media landscape.

Speaking on Thursday, Fall paid tribute to Nigerian media professionals, acknowledging their vital role in upholding democratic principles.

“On this World Press Freedom Day, we celebrate the brave men and women who work in the media in Nigeria as journalists, reporters, producers, cameramen and women, and all other media workers,” Fall stated in a release from the UN office in Abuja. “You are a very important sector of a democratic society, helping citizens to exercise their right to freedom of expression and freedom of information.”

This year’s global theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” addresses the intricate relationship between technology and journalism.

Fall observed that although AI offers possibilities for improved news dissemination, it also poses considerable dangers.

He cautioned that AI is transforming journalism, adding that it can strengthen factual reporting or speed up the spread of false information, increase monitoring, and suppress the truth.

He further warned that AI should not become a means to diminish public confidence or put journalists, who already face heightened risks both online and offline, in further jeopardy.

He referenced the UN Secretary-General’s ongoing global initiatives to promote the responsible application of AI through the Global Principles for Information Integrity and the Global Digital Compact, which aim to ensure transparency and accountability across digital platforms.

In Nigeria, the UN is collaborating with civil society, government, and media organisations to bolster media and information literacy, support the ethical adoption of AI, and safeguard freedom of expression.

“Here in Nigeria, the United Nations works with media partners, civil society, and government to support public access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms,” Fall said. “We promote media and information literacy, safe digital ecosystems, ethical AI use, as well as free, independent and pluralistic media.”

Fall acknowledged AI’s ability to enhance news creation but also its potential to spread false information through technologies like deepfakes.

He stressed that the world relies on journalists as its primary defence against fake news through ethical journalism, truthful and accurate reporting.

Fall encouraged journalists to not only highlight challenges but also to underscore positive developments, foster hope, and pursue solution-oriented journalism.

“You should not only spotlight the problems and challenges Nigeria faces but also highlight the progress and opportunities that abound in this country,” he said. “You should not only convey disasters and bad news. Be conveyors of hope.”

He called upon all stakeholders to support the media in adapting to rapid technological advancements.

The United Nations General Assembly designated May 3 as World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness about the importance of press freedom and to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.