Education
IPC Training: Aderibigbe, Obe Task Journalists On Accurate Reporting, Use Of AI Tools
By Joseph Sunday
A lecturer from the department of Mass Communication at the Federal University of Oye Ekiti in Ekiti State, Professor Adebola Adewunmi Aderibigbe as well as the Director of Journalism Clinic, in Lagos State, Mr Taiwo Obe; who are both Resource Persons at a two-day stakeholders training workshop organized for journalists in Ekiti State courtesy of the International Press Centre has tasked journalists on accurate reporting and the need to adopt the use of Artificial Intelligence tool to lessen burden regarding story writing.
The International Press Council (IPC) has engaged Journalists in Ekiti State on a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue on credible election, as part of its activities to train media practitioners ahead of the forthcoming June 20 governorship poll in the State.
IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade explained that the dialogue, funded by the European Union, was organised under the programme titled: “EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II), Component 4: Support to Media.”
He noted that the initiative is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the media to promote credible elections through factual, accurate and fair reporting.
Arogundade said the programme is part of a broader five-year intervention designed to support democratic governance and improve the role of the media in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He added that fact-checking and inclusive reporting are critical responsibilities for journalists, particularly during election periods, noting that the media must play a central role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the democratic process.
Speaking with journalists, a resource person and Director of Journalism Clinic, Taiwo Obe urged journalists to retool themselves and embrace artificial intelligence in order to remain effective in the evolving media landscape shaped by changing patterns of news consumption.
Taiwo Obe, said the digital transformation of the media industry requires journalists to continuously upgrade their skills in order to remain relevant and effective in their professional practice.
According to him, the changing nature of media consumption in the digital era makes it imperative for journalists to master modern digital tools and platforms, including the use of artificial intelligence.
His words, “My charge to today’s journalists is to retool themselves and learn how to use digital apps and tools in their practice because media consumption habits have changed in the digital milieu.
“This requires the use of those apps and tools and even artificial intelligence”.
Also speaking, a Professor of Mass Communication at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Adebola Aderibigbe, urged journalists in the State to ensure that coverage of the forthcoming governorship election is driven by issues rather than personalities.
Aderibigbe stressed that sensationalism should not dominate discussions around the 2026 election, adding that responsible journalism is critical to sustaining democratic processes.
According to him, journalists must prioritise accuracy, fairness and balance in their reports by verifying facts and giving all parties involved in political matters the opportunity to present their views.
“The election will not be defined by personalities; it should be defined by issues. Let issues be the pivotal ring upon which every discussion should be made. Sensationalization of news should not be the bedrock of discussions in the 2026 election.
“Be accurate. Fact-check every story. Ensure that your stories are not only correct but cross-checkable. Your reports must contain facts, and those facts should be verified.
“Do not hear from Party A without hearing from Party B; otherwise the report will be skewed to one side. And once issues of elections are skewed, problems will naturally arise” he added.