Achebe charges editors to defend democracy against AI disinformation

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has charged Nigerian editors to strengthen their role in protecting democracy by combating artificial intelligence-generated disinformation before, during and after elections.

Achebe gave the charge on Thursday while delivering the opening speech at the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) in Enugu, where he described the media as a critical guardian of the electoral process and public trust.

Speaking on the conference theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive,” and the sub-theme, “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Elections,” the monarch said democracy could not survive without citizens having access to credible information.

According to him, the ballot represents the voice of the citizen, while the media serves as the mirror through which citizens understand the issues on which they are expected to make electoral choices.

He warned that when that mirror is distorted by misinformation or deliberate manipulation, voters risk making decisions based on falsehood rather than facts.

Achebe said the rapid development of artificial intelligence had created a new dimension to disinformation, making it possible to manufacture convincing fake audio, videos, images and documents within seconds.

He cited the possibility of cloned voices of political and public officials being used to make statements they never made, as well as fabricated videos and images designed to create tension or inflame political passions shortly before elections.

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The monarch said the danger was particularly significant in Nigeria because false information could spread rapidly through trusted community networks, including family groups, town unions and social media platforms.

Achebe urged editors to make verification a priority, warning that the pressure to break news first must not result in the publication of false information.

“Being first with a lie dressed as news is a betrayal of the public trust,” he said, urging journalists to develop the discipline of asking whether information had been properly verified before publication.

He also challenged news organisations to strengthen their understanding of digital manipulation techniques, including the detection of synthetic voices, fabricated images and coordinated disinformation campaigns.

Beyond detecting falsehoods, he said the media had a responsibility to educate citizens on how to identify manipulated content without creating a culture in which people become so sceptical that they trust nothing.

“A citizenry that believes everything is as dangerous as one that believes nothing,” he said.

The monarch also called for courage and impartiality in debunking misinformation, stressing that journalists should challenge falsehoods irrespective of which political camp benefits from them.

‘Be the last man standing for democracy’

Achebe acknowledged the difficult operating environment facing Nigerian journalists, including economic pressures, political intimidation and the speed at which information now circulates.

He nevertheless expressed confidence in the capacity of the Nigerian media to confront the emerging challenges, recalling its historical role in exposing injustice and documenting major events in the country’s development.

He urged the conference to produce more than speeches and communiqués, describing it as an opportunity for editors to develop practical strategies for defending truth and protecting citizens from deception.

“Even if politicians, electoral body, institutions, and other things fail, you must be the ultimate last man standing in the task of defending democracy,” Achebe said.

He urged editors to remain committed to professional journalism despite political pressure, electioneering and partisan interests, stressing that democracy must be continuously protected rather than treated as a settled achievement.

Achebe concluded by praying for the safety, wellbeing and continued success of the editors and other participants at the conference.