Dr. Tope Ojeme, a lecturer at Baze University, Abuja, has called on Artificial Intelligence developers to build digital tools capable of detecting fake news and curbing unethical media practices in Nigeria.

Ojeme made this call during the closing ceremony of the Second Quarter Courses of the West Africa Broadcast Media Academy (WABMA) in Abuja. His remarks were contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Port Harcourt by WABMA Registrar, Joseph Obari.

In his presentation titled “Beyond Debunking: Building a Culture of Media Integrity in Africa’s Next Century,” Ojeme stressed the urgent need to tackle the escalating spread of misinformation and disinformation across Africa.

He advocated for the development of AI-driven applications that would enable citizens to challenge purveyors of fake news and hold public figures accountable.

“We need to empower African developers, engineers, and innovators to design AI-powered fact-checking plugins for newsrooms, and blockchain-based archives to protect journalistic content from tampering,” he said.

Ojeme added that such tools would also secure open-data platforms and strengthen civic engagement by enabling citizens to demand transparency from their leaders.

He warned that without swift and decisive action, Africa risks being inundated by harmful myths and falsehoods, potentially overshadowing scientific facts and the truth.

“We could find ourselves in a reality where viral fake cures mislead the public, conspiracy theories enter our classrooms, and elections are manipulated by bots,” he said, adding that such trends threaten to erode public trust—the cornerstone of any democratic society.

While acknowledging that technology has contributed to the spread of fake news, Ojeme also highlighted its potential to uphold truth through the use of carefully designed algorithms.

“These algorithms can be structured to prioritize verified information, identify fabrications, and flag distorted narratives,” he noted.

He also cautioned against the rising misuse of deepfake technology to manipulate videos, describing it as a serious threat to societies already battling numerous developmental issues.

“This imminent danger underscores the need to establish truth-based systems—ecosystems of integrity, legal protections for journalists, and the creation of 'truth desks' in media organizations,” he stated.

“We are living in an era of overwhelming noise, where the loudest voices gain attention, speed is valued over accuracy, and volume drowns out substance,” Ojeme concluded.

Meanwhile, WABMA Rector Dr. Ken Okere reiterated the academy’s commitment to shaping media professionals who understand both the power and responsibility of communication.

He presented certificates to participants who completed the media and communication training and awarded cash prizes to the top three winners of the DebunkIt Challenge—an initiative commemorating the 100th edition of the WABMA Fake News Debunker, launched in April 2022.

— NAN