AI, Deepfakes Threaten Credible 2027 Election Reporting, BUK Don Warns Journalists

An Associate Professor in the Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Ruquayyah Yusuf Aliu, has warned that the growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies poses a serious threat to credible election reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Aliu called on journalists to strengthen investigative reporting, fact-checking and accountability journalism to curb the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the country.

She made the call alongside a fact-checker and reporter with Nigeria Democratic Report, Olusola Oludiran, during a media training programme organised to equip journalists with skills for accurate, in-depth and accountable election reporting.

Aliu explained that the increasing sophistication of AI technology was making it difficult for the public to distinguish genuine digital content from fabricated images, videos and manipulated information.

She said journalists must make verification an integral part of their professional responsibilities, stressing that fact-checking was essential to establishing the authenticity of information before publication.

According to her, truth remains the foundation of journalism, adding that proper verification would enhance media credibility and protect citizens from misleading information.

Also speaking, Oludiran warned that AI-generated materials, including deepfake videos, manipulated photographs and misleading audiovisual content, could undermine the credibility of election reporting.

He urged journalists to go beyond covering political campaigns and activities of politicians by holding political actors accountable for their actions and promises.

Oludiran noted that the growing volume of conflicting narratives and fabricated information in the digital space required journalists to continuously update their professional skills to tackle emerging challenges.

He disclosed that the training was part of a series of capacity-building programmes being organised across the country to prepare journalists for the challenges of emerging technologies and information disorder.

Earlier, the IT and Social Media Officer of the International Press Centre (IPC), Mr Abiodun Adeleke, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Director, Dr Lanre Arogundade, said the engagement was organised under Component Four (Support to Media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN III) Programme.

Adeleke said the 2027 general elections provided an opportunity for media organisations to strengthen their capacity to deliver credible, balanced, inclusive and public-interest information.

He cautioned that sensationalism, unverified claims and inflammatory rhetoric could undermine public confidence, deepen social divisions and weaken democratic institutions.

Adeleke therefore advocated a shift from event-driven election coverage to issue-based and citizen-centred journalism, urging reporters to give greater attention to critical issues such as the economy, education, healthcare, security, employment and infrastructure.

He also emphasised the need to ensure adequate representation of women, young people, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups in electoral reporting.

The IPC official maintained that the success of the training should be measured by the quality of stories published, claims verified, citizens’ concerns amplified and professional standards upheld ahead of the 2027 elections.

He commended the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for supporting the engagement, as well as the resource persons for their contributions.