By Comrade Mark Akhuetie
For decades, journalism thrived on one unwritten rule: be the first to break the story.
The newsroom that published first was celebrated. The radio station that aired the news before others earned bragging rights. The television station that carried the exclusive report commanded attention. Every scoop was a victory, and every deadline was a race against time.
That philosophy shaped generations of journalists.
Today, however, the rules have changed.
We now live in an era where Artificial Intelligence can generate a breaking news story within seconds, clone the voice of a president, create a convincing video of a celebrity saying what they never said, produce images of events that never happened, and flood social media with misinformation before many newsrooms have even held their editorial meetings.
The race is no longer between journalists.
It is between truth and technology.
This is why I believe journalism has reached a defining moment in its history. In the Artificial Intelligence era, accuracy has become more valuable than speed.
The recent Safe Democracy Summit organised by the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) could not have come at a more appropriate time. The summit’s focus on electoral integrity, responsible media and Artificial Intelligence reflected a growing concern shared across the world: technology is advancing faster than society’s ability to manage its consequences.
Artificial Intelligence is not the enemy.
Indeed, it has become an indispensable tool for journalists, filmmakers, broadcasters, researchers and communication professionals. It can transcribe interviews within minutes, translate languages instantly, analyse massive amounts of data, improve newsroom efficiency and support creative storytelling in ways unimaginable a decade ago.
The danger lies not in the technology itself, but in how human beings choose to use it.
The same technology that helps a journalist organise information can also manufacture lies. The same AI that assists filmmakers in creating breathtaking visual effects can generate deepfake videos capable of misleading millions. Voice-cloning software can imitate respected leaders. Fabricated interviews can spread across multiple social media platforms before the truth has a chance to respond.
The consequences are enormous.
A false report can destroy reputations painstakingly built over decades. It can trigger panic in financial markets. It can inflame ethnic or religious tensions. It can undermine elections. It can weaken public confidence in institutions.
Perhaps even more dangerous is the gradual erosion of trust.
When citizens no longer know what to believe, democracy itself begins to suffer.
This reality places an even greater responsibility on journalists.
There was a time when editors worried primarily about missing a story. Today, they must worry about publishing a false one.
That is why newsroom verification procedures can no longer be treated as routine editorial formalities. Every photograph must be questioned. Every video must be authenticated. Every audio recording must be examined. Every source must be verified. Every extraordinary claim must be supported by credible evidence.
Verification is no longer a delay.
Verification is journalism.
The temptation to publish first has become even stronger in today’s digital economy, where clicks, shares, impressions and online engagement often determine commercial success. Yet history repeatedly reminds us that audiences eventually forgive the newsroom that published a story a few minutes late.
They rarely forgive the newsroom that published a lie.
Credibility remains journalism’s most valuable asset.
Without credibility, a newspaper becomes paper and ink. A television station becomes merely another screen. A digital platform becomes another voice competing in an already crowded marketplace of noise.
Trust is what separates journalism from rumour.
These lessons extend beyond traditional newsrooms.
Nigeria’s creative industry has become one of the country’s most influential communication platforms. Nollywood filmmakers, broadcasters, digital creators, podcasters and social media influencers now shape public opinion on a scale that rivals many conventional media organisations.
With that influence comes responsibility.
Artificial Intelligence is already transforming script development, post-production, visual effects, subtitling, marketing and audience engagement. These innovations should be embraced because they improve productivity and expand creative possibilities.
However, AI must never become an excuse for abandoning originality, ethical standards or professional integrity.
No technology should replace the human conscience.
Public relations practitioners face similar challenges.
The temptation to manufacture narratives, manipulate visuals or prioritise virality over truth may appear attractive in the short term, but reputation management has never been about deception. It is about building confidence through consistency, transparency and credibility.
Every communication professional must understand that while Artificial Intelligence can create content, it cannot create trust. Trust is earned. It is built patiently through years of honest work, ethical conduct and professional accountability.
Ordinary citizens also have a role to play.
Every smartphone owner has become a publisher. Every social media user has become a distributor of information. Every forwarded message carries the potential either to educate or to mislead.
Before forwarding that sensational video, ask a simple question: Is it true?
Before believing that shocking audio recording, ask another: Has it been verified?
Before sharing that dramatic headline, pause long enough to confirm its authenticity.
Democracy depends not only on the integrity of elections but also on the integrity of information.
Artificial Intelligence will continue to evolve. Its capabilities will become more sophisticated. Deepfakes will become more convincing. Synthetic voices will become harder to detect. Fake images will become increasingly realistic.
That reality should not discourage journalists. It should strengthen their resolve. The future of journalism will not be secured by those who publish first.
It will belong to those whom the public trusts most.
There was a time when the greatest compliment a newsroom could receive was:
“They broke the story first.”
Today, the greater compliment is far more meaningful:
“They got the story right.”
As Nigeria navigates the opportunities and challenges of the AI era, journalists, filmmakers, broadcasters, public relations practitioners and content creators must remember that technology may change how stories are produced, but it must never change why journalism exists.
Our profession was founded on truth.
Our credibility depends on truth.
Our future will be determined by our commitment to truth.
In the age of Artificial Intelligence, accuracy is no longer just a professional virtue. It is journalism’s greatest competitive advantage.
