…House set to pass bill on AI regulation
Spokesman not the House of Representatives, Akintunde Rotimi (APC, Ekiti), said on Friday that Artificial Intelligence generated fake news and misinformation was posing serious threat to freedom of the press and impacting negatively on society globally.
He, however, spoke of the need to put in place a regulatory framework for the operation of AI in the country, while saying the House has already set in motion the process to pass a law that will ensure such regulations.
Speaking at a one day event organised by the Centre for a journalism Innovation and Development in Abuja, Rotimi said rise of AI-generated false news is not just a theoretical concern; it is a reality that has already begun to impact societies globally, especially the widespread use of deepfake technology and AI-generated content during political elections in Africa.
He said the event presents the opportunity to collectively reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the press, and to recommit to upholding the very tenets of free expression, public accountability, and democratic governance, which are fundamental to the advancement of civil society.
He commended the courage of Journalists to challenge the status quo, expose injustices, and amplify marginalized voices remains indispensable to the health of any democracy.
“Misinformation has been deliberately crafted, with AI tools creating fabricated videos and articles designed to manipulate public opinion. In some instances, these false narratives have resulted in violence, public unrest, and fractured communities.
“The ability of AI to create convincing, but entirely fabricated news stories has increasingly contributed to public disinformation and erosion of trust in both media institutions and democratic processes.
“The growing potential for falsehood to outpace truth presents a dire challenge. Misinformation campaigns can now be automated and scaled at an unprecedented rate, reaching millions in a matter of seconds.
“This makes it harder to distinguish fact from fiction, particularly when such fabricated news is designed to appear legitimate. The consequences can be far-reaching – undermining public trust, inflaming social divisions, and even destabilizing governments”.
He said further that “as we stand at the crossroads of human editorial judgment and algorithmic decision-making, we are faced with an important philosophical and practical dilemma: How do we preserve the integrity of journalism in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence?
Rotimi said “technology is a tool, not a conscience. In the face of rapid advancements, AI has proven capable of generating grammatically perfect articles, composing music, and processing vast amounts of data with breathtaking speed. But what it cannot replicate is moral clarity, human empathy, or the moral courage to challenge power; all of which lie at the core of the journalistic vocation.
“Artificial intelligence undeniably offers great promise, such as accelerating reporting, enhancing verification, and broadening the scope of dissemination. However, it also introduces risks: the amplification of biases inherent in flawed training data, the erosion of editorial independence through automated processes, and an alarming surge in misinformation that can outpace truth itself.
Speaking on freedom of the Press, he said “press freedom remains under constant threat. In the United States, a Pew Research Center survey conducted between April 1 and April 7, 2024 released ahead of World Press Freedom Day, explored Americans’ perceptions of press freedom and found that: 41% of U.S. adults expressed being extremely or very concerned about potential restrictions on press freedoms.
“In Nigeria, our circumstances are similarly fraught. Security agencies have, on occasion, engaged in actions that limit the freedom of the press, especially against print and digital platforms. Simultaneously, the unchecked rise of fake news, character defamation, cyberbullying, and politically motivated disinformation continues to erode trust in the media and fuels demands for more stringent digital regulation.
“As Spokesman of the House, I have seen firsthand how journalistic shortcuts seeking virality over veracity can do more harm than good. I have witnessed instances where serious accusations were made against the House of Representatives without any corroborating evidence, or a genuine attempt to verify the facts.
“While we staunchly defend the right to freedom of the press, we must recognize that this right comes with responsibility: the duty to act with integrity and in the best interests of the public.”
He said the House remain resolutely committed to transparency, public engagement, and high ethical standards as laid out in Agenda 6 of our Legislative Agenda, adding that recognizing the complexities surrounding AI, the House has embarked on an effort to establish a national framework to guide the development and regulation of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria.
He said this initiative is aimed at balancing innovation with ethical responsibility, ensuring that AI technologies serve the public good and protect civil liberties.
He disclosed that he has personally sponsored “A Bill to Regulate the Development, Deployment, and Use of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria,” which seeks to safeguard privacy, human rights, safety, and accountability in the use of AI.
He said “this bill is part of a broader legislative push to align Nigeria’s digital transformation with international best practices, including the UNESCO Guidelines for AI Ethics and the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030).
“My bill has been consolidated with three other similar bills, including one sponsored by the Rt. Hon. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and passed second reading, and would soon hold a public hearing to secure the input of critical stakeholders.
While calling for self regulations and responsibility on the part of the media, Rotimi said though the digital media space has been democratised, it must not be left unregulated and unaccountable.
He said “history has shown us the destabilising consequences of sectors left unchecked. If the media itself fails to self-regulate, the state may be compelled to intervene, and this thin line between protecting the national interest and shielding political power is perilously easy to cross.
“As I have consistently admonished, the first line of defense in this struggle must be media self-discipline and self-regulation. Regrettably, institutional accountability within the media has at times, been insufficient. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), despite its 7 decades-long history and noble mission, has demonstrated limited capacity to enforce ethical standards among its members.
He said he was currently consulting on the establishment of a Legislative Network for Open Parliament and Press Freedom which will create a framework for collaboration between lawmakers, media professionals, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders, to enhance transparency, accountability, and press freedom.
He said “We aim to forge a robust, democratic dialogue between the media and the legislature, ensuring that the rights of citizens to access information are protected, and that the media’s role as a pillar of democracy is safeguarded.
He reaffirm the legislature’s unwavering commitment to the protection of free speech, the promotion of responsible journalism, and the advancement of responsible technology. We will legislate with foresight, regulate with fairness, and innovate with integrity.
