ADDIS ABABA – As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes the global media landscape, the Ethiopian Media Council has called for the ethical use of AI tools in journalism to safeguard truth, uphold public trust, and fight disinformation.
The call came during a panel discussion marking World Press Freedom Day 2025, observed under the global theme: “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
The Council’s Executive Committee Deputy Chairperson Tamirat Hailu emphasized that while AI offers powerful tools to enhance journalistic quality—such as faster content generation and data analysis—it also poses significant risks if misused.
“AI can enrich journalism, but it must be guided by strong ethical principles,” he stated. “Disinformation and deep-fakes generated by AI threaten public trust and the credibility of the media. Regulatory safeguards and professional responsibility are urgently needed.”
Tamirat urged Ethiopian journalists to familiarize themselves with emerging technologies and to play a proactive role in countering misinformation by delivering accurate, fact-based reporting. He also stressed the need to foster an environment where press freedom, human rights, and professional ethics are respected.
The UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union Director and Country Representative to Ethiopia Rita Bissoonauth (PhD) echoed these sentiments. She highlighted the dual nature of AI—as both an opportunity and a threat to journalism.
“In countries like Ethiopia, AI can revolutionize media with tools such as real-time translation, enhanced fact-checking and dynamic storytelling,” she said. “But it can also be misused for disinformation, surveillance, and online abuse—particularly against women journalists.”
UNESCO, she added, is taking steps to address these challenges through the development of Global Guidelines on Digital Platform Governance, promotion of AI ethics frameworks, and expansion of media literacy programs in over 100 countries.
In Ethiopia, UNESCO continues to work with national partners to strengthen media pluralism, support journalist training, and reinforce freedom of expression as a pillar of peace and sustainable development.
As AI technologies become more integrated into newsrooms, both speakers underscored the importance of protecting journalistic integrity and ensuring AI serves democracy, not undermines it.
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 3 MAY 2025
