Kperogi Urges Editors to Combat AI Disinformation in 2026

Kperogi, a Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media at Kennesaw State University, delivered a keynote address at the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) 2026 in Enugu, organized by the Nigerian Guild of Editors. In his presentation titled “When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation, During and After Election,” he described AI-generated disinformation as a significant challenge for newsrooms, noting its ability to change the scale, speed, and sophistication of information disorder globally.

Kperogi cited instances of AI being used to create fake newspaper front pages to spread false political narratives involving President Bola Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi. He stressed the importance of protecting journalism from unverified digital content and called for stronger verification systems and interventions in newsrooms to maintain credibility.

Kperogi warned that prioritizing speed over accuracy could damage the integrity of news organizations, particularly during elections, and advocated for meticulous election coverage and strict authentication processes.