World Press Freedom Day: Experts Call for Careful Navigation of AI in Journalism
Accra, Ghana - 08 May, 2025 - To commemorate World Press Freedom Day, Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Berenice Owen-Jones, addressed a gathering of media professionals, academics, and industry stakeholders in Accra.
The event, themed “The Future of Free Expression in an Era of Artificial Intelligence,” brought together experts to discuss the impact of AI on journalism, highlighting both opportunities and challenges.
Speaking at the World Press Freedom Day 2025 commemoration in Accra by Afrimass Network in partnership with BlueCrest College, Owen-Jones emphasized the importance of press freedom, noting its decline in a record number of countries. She stressed the need for careful consideration of AI's role in information gathering, processing, and dissemination, highlighting both opportunities and serious challenges.
“The fact is that media freedom is diminishing in a record number of countries,” “Disinformation, propaganda, and artificial intelligence pose mounting threats to journalism.”
“AI can be used to spread false or misleading information, increase online hate speech, and support new types of censorship,” she said.
According to Owen-Jones, AI can be a valuable tool for journalists, but it requires careful navigation to ensure that it enhances rather than hinders press freedom.
“Newsrooms are increasingly fact-checking and developing codes of conduct—this is to be encouraged,” “Access to reliable information has become increasingly important in the age of digitization, fake news, and disinformation campaigns.''
''We must ensure AI strengthens, rather than weakens, press freedom,'' she added.
The Australian High Commissioner's concerns about press freedom are echoed by other experts in the field.
Mr. Raymond Smith, Founder of AfriMass Network, shared his thoughts on AI's role in journalism, stating that AI is not intended to replace journalists but rather to advance the concept of journalism. AI can generate news content, speed up work, and bring efficiency to the newsroom, he added.
AfriMass Network plans to launch a cohort program to engage young media professionals in discussions on AI's impact on journalism, facilitating collaboration between industry partners and media platforms.
Mr. John Kumi, Head of Department, Communication and Journalism at BlueCrest College, also contributed to the discussion, emphasizing the importance of responsible freedom of expression.
He highlighted the need for balance between the right to freedom of expression and the duty to truth, dignity, and peace.
As Australia's High Commissioner to Ghana, Berenice Owen-Jones has been actively engaging with Ghanaian institutions, including the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), to promote academic excellence and partnerships.
Her role involves fostering relationships between Australia and Ghana, leveraging Australia's expertise and resources to support Ghana's development.
Source: Lead News Online
