VON DG ADVOCATES ETHICAL AI ADOPTION IN BROADCASTING AT WEST AFRICA MEDIA CONVENTION

…VON Ready to Lead Africa’s Digital Broadcasting Future

The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has called on African broadcasters to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative tool for content creation and global media engagement. He also emphasised the need for ethical safeguards and robust digital policy frameworks to ensure responsible adoption across the continent.

Ndace made this call during his keynote address at the Broadcasting and Digital Media Convention West Africa, organised by Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) in collaboration with the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), held in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme “Broadcasting in the Age of AI: Digital Media Feasibility and Opportunities for International Radio,” the VON DG described AI as a defining force in the future of media. He noted that AI is reshaping storytelling, news delivery, audience engagement, and content credibility.

“Artificial intelligence is not just a technological development; it’s an existential shift for media institutions like ours,” he said. “The challenge before us is not whether AI will change broadcasting, it already has. The real question is whether we in Africa will lead or lag behind.”

He highlighted how AI is being applied globally, from newsroom automation and synthetic voice generation to audience analytics and personalised news feeds. He urged African broadcasters to move beyond legacy infrastructure by investing in AI-driven solutions that reflect local needs and realities.

“For African broadcasters, AI presents an opportunity to bypass the analogue lag and jump directly into intelligent, automated, and audience-driven content models,” he noted.

Ndace also shared insights into VON’s ongoing digital transformation journey, revealing that the station is already leveraging AI tools for real-time translation, automated programme scheduling, and audience analytics.

He further disclosed that journalists and producers at VON received training on AI-assisted editing during the VON Retreat 2024. These sessions, he said, will continue as facilitated programs for interns, Youth Corps Members, and staff, while the organisation explores smart radio technologies such as Radio Garden, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify to enhance global reach and connect with a more diverse audience.

“VON’s legacy is radio, but its future lies in the convergence of both digital and terrestrial broadcasting. That is why we are working vigorously to enhance our 250kW Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmitter capacity. We are building an international broadcasting institution that is powered by AI, driven by relevance, and rooted in Nigeria’s cultural identity,” he stated.

While acknowledging the opportunities AI offers, the DG cautioned against its uncritical adoption, pointing out the ethical challenges it poses. These include the risks of misinformation, algorithmic bias, and potential job displacement in the media sector.

“We must not allow algorithms to become our editors-in-chief. The human journalist must remain central. AI must be a tool that enhances, not erases, our editorial judgment.”

He called for stronger collaboration among African governments, broadcasters, technology firms, and academic institutions to formulate policies that promote the ethical use of artificial intelligence in the media sector. He also commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for its significant investment in youth development and infrastructure upgrades aimed at positioning the continent to fully harness the benefits of the AI revolution.

“We need strategic partnerships, continental cooperation, and smart regulation to ensure AI works for Africa, not against it,” he said.

Ndace reaffirmed his vision for VON as a digital-first, AI-empowered broadcaster that amplifies Nigeria’s soft power and elevates Africa’s voice on the global stage.

“Africa’s media narrative must not be outsourced to others. We must tell our stories with intelligence and integrity. VON is ready to lead that charge.”

Also in attendance at the event were key stakeholders from the broadcast and digital media space, including representatives from the GBC, BBC, Radio France Internationale, South African broadcasters, and other prominent figures in the broadcasting industry across Nigeria and Africa. The Director General also participated in a panel discussion addressing the evolving landscape of the broadcasting industry on the continent.