Accra, Nov. 3, GNA – The Federation of African Journalists (IFAJ) has encouraged journalists and media managers across Africa to embrace the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance newsroom efficiency, improve information verification and strengthen the quality of journalism.
However, they should guard against its misuse, which could undermine information integrity, accelerate disinformation, compromise editorial independence and threaten journalists’ employment.
The call was made during a two-day dialogue and capacity-building programme convened by the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from October 24 to 25, 2026.
Held on the theme: “Advancing Responsible Artificial Intelligence and Decent Work for Quality Journalism in Africa”, the programme brought together journalist leaders and representatives of the African Union Commission (AUC), UNESCO, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Union (EU).
Participants examined the growing influence of AI on journalism and the wider information ecosystem, identifying opportunities for its application in research, translation and information verification.
The growing use of AI-generated content and automated technologies, they noted, required stronger safeguards to protect information integrity, freedom of expression and media freedom.
They emphasised the importance to acquire the requisite skills to use the technology effectively, while retaining human judgement and editorial oversight in news production.
The potential misuse of AI to generate fabricated content, impersonate trusted sources and accelerate the spread of misinformation and disinformation should be resisted.
The participants also examined the implications of AI-driven automation and cost-cutting measures by media organisations for newsroom staffing and journalists’ job security.
Such developments, they noted, could worsen existing labour challenges in the media industry.
These included low and delayed salaries, insecure employment, the absence of formal contracts and inadequate social protection.
Mr Omar Faruk Osman, President of FAJ, said responsible AI adoption, decent working conditions and media freedom were interconnected and must be pursued together to safeguard quality journalism.
“Artificial intelligence must not deepen the precarious conditions in which journalists across the continent continue to work,” he emphasised.
“When journalists lack decent working conditions, quality journalism is weakened and consequently, disinformation and misinformation gain ground.
“This is why we believe the responsible use of AI, decent work and media freedom are closely interconnected.”
He said journalists across Africa required fair and safe working conditions, editorial independence and the necessary skills to verify information and use technology responsibly.
The deliberations were informed by a recent FAJ continental survey on journalists’ working conditions, safety, labour rights and media freedom.
The survey, which gathered responses from 1,586 journalists across 45 African countries, was described by the federation as the first journalist-led continental survey of its kind in Africa.
Its findings are expected to provide an evidence base for advocacy and engagement with media organisations, governments and other relevant institutions to address challenges confronting journalists across the continent.
At the end of the programme, participants adopted a continental advocacy action plan to advance responsible AI, decent work and quality journalism across Africa.
FAJ said it would pursue the plan through its affiliated organisations and networks, as well as sustained engagement with the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), UN agencies, organised labour, human rights organisations and other partners.
The programme was funded by the ILO, the EU and UNESCO through its Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP).
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage
Reporter: Eric Appah Marfo