Journalists have been called upon to unshackle themselves from every form of limitation that restricts them from performing their duties to society.
Giving a Keynote Address at the 2025 Press Freedom Day at the Ernest Ikoli House in Port Harcourt, Former Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said before seeking the constitutional press freedom journalists have a duty to perform on themselves to enable the world to take them seriously.
He urged journalists to take advantage of the benefits of technology, but also be prepared to work hard because Artificial Intelligence cannot completely do investigative journalism and cultivate sources of information.
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”In this Age of AI, no matter how they do things, they can’t initiate stories for you. The Ship is sailing, and only journalists who will develop and adapt to the current realities will be relevant in the next five years”, he said.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Eze Mike Elechi, while speaking to those present, said that journalists have a role to play in the development of society. He urged journalists to speak out when democratic processes are being trampled upon.
”I believe that the journalists are themselves tying themselves to chains now. Democracy has given you these things, AI is part of democracy that has been given to you.
”There is a Freedom of Information Bill, and to make it more authentic, you go to AI; therefore, journalists lose themselves from the freedom that you have denied yourselves. If you follow all the tenets of democracy, you need to say something. How can Rivers State be in Military Rule when other states are in democracy?”
In his Address, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Rivers Council, Comrade Paul Bazia in the era of Artificial Intelligence and fake news, journalists need to arm themselves with knowledge and other necessary skills that are needed to remain relevant.
