The 2026 AMDF Media Clinic, themed “Beyond the Screen: Journalism and the Quest for Truth in the Age of AI” has been held virtually with panelists drawn from The Gambia, Liberia and Nigeria.
The Panelists, Aisha Tamba, an investigative journalist and Legal Affairs Specialist from The Gambia, Raine Tarka Golegio, Communication Specialist and Youth Leadership Advocate from Liberia and Justina Asishana , Investigative Journalist and Fact Checker from Nigeria discussed on how journalists in their respective countries explore AI in the job.
While explaining the pros and cons of the AI, the Panelists were of the view that it has come to stay and that training of Journalists in that regard
should not only be seen as an obligation but a necessity .
Having identified AI to have simplified journalists’ job, the Panelists reminded them that it can not do everything, hence the need to acquire basic research skill on how to detect fakes through human judgment, technical know-how and verification tools.
It was also noted that Artificial Intelligence is useful in summarising large documents and transcribing interviews, newsrooms should spell out how it should be explored to avoid risks including manipulation and dissemination of fake information.
Stressing the need for journalists to see AI as a starting point and not an ending point, the panelists want them to lay emphasis on Fact Checks to identify fact or real information from false.
Earlier in her remarks, the Executive Director, AMDF, Sekyen Dadik challenged participants to freely share what’s working and failing in their newsrooms and build collaborations that outlast the Clinic.
Journalists, she said, should not rely totally on AI as it can not perfect job for them and that human can still do major work.
“Today, a story can be written, illustrated, voiced, and distributed in under 60 seconds — without a human ever touching it. AI can transcribe, translate, and even investigate. But it cannot bear witness. It cannot sit with a grieving community in Zamfara, track a budget in Accra, or decide that a story is worth the risk because the public deserves to know.
“AI is not the enemy of truth, but it is also cannot guarantee truth. It is a tool — powerful, evolving but imperfect. It can help us analyze procurement data at scale, or spot patterns in disinformation. It can also flood the information space with convincing falsehoods, deepfakes, and noise that buries the facts we fought to uncover.
“So the question before us is not “Will AI replace journalism?” The question is: How will journalism remain indispensable in the age of AI?
“We are here today because we believe headlines are not enough. Citizens need the story behind the story, the evidence, the accountability, the nuance.”, She emphasized.
Sekyen opines that in the age of AI, the most radical act a journalist could do, is to be accurate, to be present, and to be trusted adding that technology would change but quest for truth must not.
The Clinic which drew participants from across Africa countries, is One of the flagship programmes of the AMDF bringing together experts to discuss trending issues in the media, raise concerns and proffer solutions.
