Dr. Tope Ojeme, a lecturer at Baze University, Abuja, has called on Artificial Intelligence (AI) developers to create digital applications capable of detecting fake news and addressing unethical media practices in Nigeria and across Africa.
Ojeme made the appeal during the closing ceremony of the Second Quarter Courses of the West Africa Broadcast Media Academy (WABMA) in Abuja. His remarks were shared in a statement released on Wednesday in Port Harcourt by the WABMA Registrar, Joseph Obari.
Delivering a paper titled “Beyond Debunking: Building a Culture of Media Integrity in Africa’s Next Century,” Ojeme stressed the urgent need to confront the growing tide of misinformation and disinformation on the continent.
He noted that the development of AI-driven tools would empower citizens to challenge fake news propagators and hold public leaders accountable.
“We must empower African developers, engineers, and creators to build AI-powered fact-checking plugins for newsrooms and blockchain-based archives to safeguard journalistic content from tampering,” Ojeme stated.
He explained that such tools could also secure open-data platforms, giving citizens access to reliable information and strengthening democratic engagement.
Ojeme warned that without decisive action, Africa risked being overwhelmed by harmful myths, viral fake cures, classroom conspiracy theories, and digitally manipulated election campaigns—threats that could seriously undermine truth and public trust.
While acknowledging that technology has played a role in the spread of misinformation, Ojeme emphasized its potential to also become a tool for good. He advocated for the creation of advanced algorithms capable of verifying information, detecting falsehoods, and prioritizing facts.
“This looming threat highlights the urgency of building systems of truth—ecosystems of integrity supported by legal protections for truth-telling journalists and ‘truth desks’ within media organisations,” he said.
“We are living in an age of noise, where the loudest microphone commands attention, speed supersedes sense, and volume overwhelms value.”
Earlier at the event, Dr. Ken Okere, Rector of WABMA, said the academy’s mission extends beyond training media professionals. It also focuses on instilling a deep sense of responsibility in media communication.
Okere presented certificates to participants who completed the media and communication courses and awarded cash prizes to the top three winners of the DebunkIt Challenge—an initiative launched to mark the 100th edition of the WABMA Fake News Debunker, which began in April 2022.
