YAOUNDE, Cameroon -The African Union (AU) has urged media across the continent to adopt artificial intelligence responsibly, warning that the same tools accelerating news production could also deepen disinformation and threaten press freedom.

Speaking in Nairobi on the 32nd World Press Freedom Day, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye said Africa must strike a careful balance as it embraces digital transformation in journalism.

His remarks were delivered during the launch of the AU’s new “Democracy, Media and Socialisation” initiative.

This year’s theme, focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on press freedom and the media, highlights both the opportunities and the risks AI presents for journalism in Africa.

Adeoye said the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day is timely, as it encourages stakeholders to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance reporting accuracy and speed, while also confronting its risks, including disinformation, biased algorithms, hate speech, and deepfakes.

Across the continent, journalists and policymakers are increasingly grappling with the rise of deepfakes, misinformation, and echo chambers that undermine public trust.

As citizen journalism and social media redefine how stories break and spread, traditional newsrooms face mounting pressure to verify information quickly while maintaining accuracy.

Adeoye called for cross-sector collaboration among journalists, citizens, and policymakers to ensure AI reinforces rather than erodes democratic values.

He stressed that ethical journalism must remain central to Africa’s digital evolution.

In a sign of growing institutional response, the AU’s Peace and Security Council approved the creation of a multidisciplinary advisory group in March 2025 to study AI’s implications for peace, security, and governance.

The council had earlier passed a resolution to protect journalists in conflict zones, a move hailed as a step forward for press freedom.

“Our niche as the AU is to ensure that the fundamental freedoms associated with access to information, freedom of speech and freedom of expression, are promoted and protected everywhere in the African Continent,” Adeoye said.

“The press must be champions of the freedom from want,” he said “We call on all stakeholders including AU member states to continue to guarantee access.”