By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), May 4, GNA – The Volta and Oti Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) commemorated World Press Freedom Day with a call for responsible and strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism to boost productivity, enhance reporting quality, and safeguard ethical standards in the media landscape.
The celebration, held at the Regional Press Centre in Ho, brought together media practitioners from across the two regions, including retired journalists, Municipal and District Chief Executives, traditional leaders, and development partners.
Delivering the keynote address on the theme “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media”, Mrs. Maria Kwami Gwira, former Director of Public Affairs at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and Executive Director of the Dede Media Foundation, said that AI presented an opportunity to revolutionize journalism, but must be harnessed thoughtfully and ethically.
“Artificial Intelligence has brought journalists closer to their audiences than ever before. It equips us with tools that streamline newsroom processes, enhance storytelling, and enable deeper investigative reporting,” she noted.
However, Mrs. Gwira emphasised that while AI could assist with automation and data analysis, the core journalistic values of inquiry, instinct, creativity, and human judgment were irreplaceable.
“The essence of journalism remains rooted in human intuition and experience. We must not lose sight of our primary responsibility—to seek truth, provide context, and tell impactful stories with integrity.”
She cautioned against the dangers of uncritical AI adoption, especially as discussions around General AI and Superintelligent systems move from fiction to potential reality.
“These advanced systems, while potentially useful in solving global problems, also pose significant risks—ranging from mass manipulation to social engineering. As journalists, we must begin to engage with these possibilities now, rather than later.”
Mrs. Gwira urged journalists to first master the available tools to improve their workflows, avoid biased or flawed prompts, and elevate the standard of journalism in the digital age.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour, Volta Regional Minister, Mr James Gunu, who is also a member of the Association, described the theme as timely and pressing in today’s media environment.
“We stand at a historic crossroads. AI now enables us to mine data rapidly, identify trends, and tackle disinformation. But these tools also raise serious concerns—deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and the erosion of human editorial control threaten to undermine truth and democracy.”
Mr. Gunu stressed that press freedom now faced a dual threat—the conventional dangers of censorship and the new, insidious risks posed by unregulated technology.
“If unchecked, AI can become a tool to distort rather than clarify, to silence rather than amplify. We must ask ourselves: How do we ensure that AI strengthens the foundations of democracy instead of weakening them?”
He outlined three critical steps, including transparency in how AI systems are deployed in journalism; Ethical frameworks tailored to media practices; Robust legal protections to shield journalists from both algorithmic and human threats.
“We need clear guidelines governing everything from automated reporting to content moderation. We must build safeguards that protect the sanctity of free expression and journalistic independence.”
In his welcome address, Mr. Emmanuel Agbaxode, Chairman of the GJA Volta/Oti Chapter, reflected on the evolving nature of journalism in the digital era.
He acknowledged the benefits of AI and digital tools but warned against compromising journalistic values in pursuit of technological convenience.
“AI may change how we tell stories, but it must never change why we tell them. Integrity, accuracy, and ethical responsibility must remain at the heart of journalism,” he said.
The celebration, which also served as a platform for media networking and reflection, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to press freedom, professional excellence, and responsible innovation.
GNA
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