WikkiTimes Media and Publishing Limited, in collaboration with the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism and the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi has trained journalists, academics and students on the responsible use of AI to drive accountability.
The training with the theme “Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence to Drive Accountability Journalism for Social Justice.” was conducted at the Polytechnic in Bauchi.
The one-day event was organised with support from MacArthur Foundation where 30 participants were trained in the workshop.
The training also featured resources persons who excelled in the investigative, Data and Digital journalism.
In his welcome address, the Head, Mass Communication Department of the institution Mal. Shamsu Abdu Dauda expressed confidence that the training will educate the participants on the modern journalism.
The HOD stated that his department is committed to partnering with WikkiTimes to continue this kind of training to the staff and students of the department on the application of AI tools in their academic activities.
In his remark, the Dean of the School of General Studies, Mal. Isah Mohammed while commended the organizers of the training.
He noted that AI, accountability journalism and research are important areas of concern in modern media landscape.
“I urged you to be committed to what you learned after the training. The ideas discussed will surely enhance accountability reporting and simplify research work,” he said.
in his remark, WikkiTimes’ Product and Innovation Manger, Ridwan Adetutu, noted that the training was part of WikkiTimes commitment to bridging the gap in accountability reporting and encouraging early adoption of AI tools to promote transparency, accountability, and social justice in the society.
In their presentations during the workshop, the resources persons charged the participants to make use of the skills gained during the training.
Haruna Mohammed Salisu, the publisher of WikkiTimes cautioned the participants to ensure credibility and avoid plagiarism while working with IA tools.
Muhammad who said the AI is indispensable tool in modern media practice said the tools simply excellently work in research and creating contents. He counselled that the tools should be used ethically.
“Don’t to be lazy depending on AI only because now there are 100s of IA technologies that can dictate the work done by AI. Sometimes the information or data generated by AI will not necessarily be entirely accurate not check and verify,” he said.
The publisher commended the participants and the department of Mass communication the partnership note that his organization is ever ready when the school needed similar training in the future.
Mr Amzat Ajibola, who is WikkiTimes’ Co-publisher, in his keynote address, described accountability journalism as a backbone of democracy, noted that it has crucial role in holding power to account.
“Accountability reporting entails that you as a reporter must ensure credibility of your sources, verify facts, provide context and avoid bias. If media houses will subscribe to accountability reporting some of the sufferings will be reduced in Nigeria,” Ajibola stressed.
Silas Jonathan, Digital Research and Investigations Manager, Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development spoke on AI and Open-Source Techniques for Researchers and Journalists.
Jonathan explained that journalists and academics must embrace the new technology to continue to make impact in their professions.
Najib Sani of Leadership Newspaper who spoke on the relevance of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in fostering transparency and accountability, emphasized the constitutional responsibility of journalists to hold those in power accountable and encouraged participants to fully utilize their right to access information.
In his presentation on Investigative Journalism: Tools and Techniques, Aminu Adamu Naganye, the Managing Editor of WikkiTimes, provided participants with practical training on various digital tools of sourcing information especially on government’s spending and accessing data.
He explained that the tools, when combined with robust journalistic practices, could enhance the depth and quality of investigative reporting.
Some of the participants Aminu Isah Usman and Fateema Umar commended the organizers of the training and ensure that they will apply the skills gained in their journalism activities.
