Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to defending press freedom while urging media practitioners to remain faithful to truth and ethics in the face of rapid technological disruption.
In his address commemorating the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, Governor Ododo highlighted the indispensable role of a free and responsible press in sustaining democracy.
This year’s celebration, themed “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media,” prompted the Governor to reflect on the growing influence of machine-generated content in shaping narratives.
He emphasized that while artificial intelligence offers opportunities for speed and reach, it also poses risks to credibility, accuracy, and editorial integrity.
“In this brave new world,” Ododo questioned, “who controls the narrative? How do we ensure accuracy in an age of machine-generated content? And above all, how do we protect the essence of journalism, its human judgment, ethics, and accountability?”
Governor Ododo stressed that his administration views press freedom not merely as a democratic right but as a tool for accountability and progress. He assured that journalists in Kogi State would continue to operate in an environment that encourages open expression, provided it is guided by professionalism and responsibility.
“We welcome scrutiny done in the most responsible manner because we understand that good governance requires transparency,” he said.
He, however, issued a warning that freedom without responsibility could be as dangerous as censorship. “A silenced press is the enemy of progress, but an unchecked, unethical press is a threat to social harmony,” he noted. He urged media professionals to use technology as an enabler rather than a substitute for the ethical compass that defines true journalism.
The Governor concluded with a call to action for media stakeholders and institutions across Nigeria to invest in protecting editorial independence, upskilling journalists in digital literacy, and ensuring that artificial intelligence enhances rather than diminishes the core values of journalism. “AI must be our tool, not our replacement,” he asserted, “and the truth must remain our goal.
