By Sarah Manya
The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has extended its solidarity to African journalists as the world marks the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, emphasizing the need for ethical practices in the face of artificial intelligence’s growing influence in the media space.
Themed *“Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom,”* this year’s commemoration spotlights the evolving relationship between technology and journalism.
In a statement signed and issued on Saturday, May 3, by Zhiroh Jatau, AMDF’s Manager for Press Freedom, the foundation described the theme as timely, acknowledging the increasing presence of AI in newsrooms and its implications for media independence, ethics, and sustainability.
“AI has come to stay, and with it comes a baggage of advantages and new challenges,” Jatau said. “Journalists and the media at large must be challenged to develop practical approaches to maintaining ethical practice, a high level of professionalism, and sustaining jobs.”
The AMDF noted that while AI offers tools that enhance content generation and information dissemination, it also poses risks including the spread of misinformation, promotion of hate speech, and marginalization of media outlets unable to fully digitize.
“Most media houses are yet to fully go digital, and this further shuts them out of being contributors to the digital information library,” the statement added.
Jatau called on media professionals to recognize the urgent need for adaptation, stressing that failing to engage with AI technologies could jeopardize the financial viability and relevance of many newsrooms—particularly smaller ones.
“There’s a need to create an environment where these issues will be addressed urgently in healthy discussions among government, civil societies, tech industries, and media practitioners,” Jatau said.
Highlighting the vital role of journalists in shaping the digital public sphere, the foundation urged African media professionals to become central figures in the ethical use of generative content tools.
“As agenda setters, journalists should be the major information hub for any generative news and media content online,” the statement said. “Let us proceed with progressive steps towards sustaining the role of professionals in the AI information vault.”
AMDF also took a moment to remember journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of truth, praising the resilience of those still committed to the profession despite challenges.
“We salute the courage and resilience of all journalists who have remained steadfast despite threats and intimidation,” the foundation concluded.
AMDF wished all African journalists a reflective and impactful Press Freedom Day celebration.