Media Experts to Journalists: Upgrade Skills or Be Left Behind in Digital Era

By Ladan Nasidi, Kano

Media experts have urged Nigerian journalists to deepen their knowledge of emerging technologies, legal frameworks and digital safety protocols as the profession continues to evolve rapidly in the face of artificial intelligence and online vulnerabilities.

The call was made during the 2025 Retreat of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), holding in Kaduna, with the theme: “Emerging Trends in Journalism: Impact of AI, News Sources & Digital-Driven Newsroom in Modern Journalism; Tasks Before Journalists.”

Delivering a paper on “The Defamatory Border Lines in Media Reports: A Legal Perspective,” legal practitioner Barr. Yusuf Abdul Salam reminded journalists that Nigeria guarantees freedom of expression, not freedom of the press, stressing the need for reporters to choose their words carefully and verify sources to avoid defamatory publications.

“Careless reporting can easily cross into libel or defamation,” he warned.

In another presentation titled “AI in Journalism and Mass Communication: Scope and Values,” media scholar Ms. Hajia Sani emphasized that journalists must continuously upgrade their digital skills to remain competitive.

“If you don’t know how to utilize new devices and technologies, you will be left behind,” she said. She cautioned that while AI enhances content production, it also introduces ethical and social challenges that journalists must navigate responsibly.

Speaking on digital media dynamics, Abdullateef Abubakar Jos, in his paper “Digital Media: Emerging Opportunities and Challenges,” differentiated between digital and new media, noting that many journalists particularly online publishers are increasingly falling victim to cybercrime.
He urged practitioners to uphold professionalism and verify information despite the fast-paced pressures of the digital space.

Chairman of the retreat and Director-General, Media and Public Relations at the Kano State Government House, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, commended the facilitators for their insightful contributions.
Bature, who is also the spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, advised journalists against overdependence on AI systems.

“Artificial Intelligence relies on human input. Journalists should not surrender their creativity and professionalism to machines,” he cautioned, urging practitioners to embrace digital innovation without compromising journalistic standards.