By Kehinde Erin
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting press freedom, emphasising the importance of supporting the media in upholding truth.
This was stated in his message commemorating the 2025 World Press Freedom Day.
Governor Ododo highlighted the evolving challenges in journalism, particularly with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in news production, stating the need for media practitioners to exercise greater due diligence and responsibility, as noted in this year’s World Press Freedom Day theme, “A Brave New World: AI’s Impact on Press Freedom and Media.”
According to him, “In this brave new world, we must ask hard questions, 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?”
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Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for media professionals, adding that press freedom is both a democratic necessity and a governance priority.
“Let it be known that our administration will encourage the media to stand for the truth and we welcome scrutiny done in the most responsible manner because we understand that good governance requires transparency. A silenced press is the enemy of progress but freedom without responsibility is more dangerous in any society,” the Governor said.
The Governor encouraged journalists to leverage technological advancements while upholding core principles of professionalism, balance, integrity, and responsibility.
“Use technology to elevate your reach, not to compromise your ethics. Let us ensure that AI enhances journalism but should not erase its essence as a pillar of democracy,” he said.
He called on stakeholders nationwide to support efforts to protect journalists and preserve editorial independence amid rapid technological advancements driven by AI.
