Minister Decries Use Of Deepfakes To Undermine Public Officials

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has decried the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create and disseminate deepfake videos depicting public officials in compromising situations.

The Minister stated this while receiving the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhaji Alhassan Yahaya, during a courtesy to his office in Abuja on Friday.

He acknowledged that while AI has great potential, it can be used for both constructive and destructive purposes.

“We see how AI can be used both positively and negatively. You could be sitting right here, and someone could superimpose another person’s head onto your body, completely misrepresenting you.

“Every day, we see that the president will say something, and somebody will twist it and say a different thing; the minister will say something, and somebody will twist it and say another thing,” he lamented.

The Minister noted that deepfake videos have damaged countless reputations and traumatised families by falsely portraying individuals in scandalous situations.

Idris stated that the federal government was collaborating with UNESCO to clean up the social media space while safeguarding freedom of expression.

“As a government, we are taking this issue seriously—especially how to sanitize the social media space without gagging freedom of expression.

“Fortunately for us, the entire world is coming together to see how this menace can be tackled. That’s why UNESCO is taking the lead,” he said.

He explained that UNESCO has received input from over 100 countries, with more than 10,000 submissions, and has developed a comprehensive guide for digital content creators to help uphold integrity in the online space.

The Minister called on the NUJ to support the fight against fake news and misinformation, emphasising the need to safeguard the credibility of the journalism profession.

“At the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, we take the issue of misinformation and fake news very seriously. We call on you to collaborate with us in eradicating quackery in the profession, and also in encouraging citizen journalists and the general public to write and publish only what they know to be true,” he said.

He used the occasion to inform the NUJ about the establishment of a Category 2 Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, recently approved for Nigeria by UNESCO.

According to him, the institute—the first of its kind globally—will equip journalists, students, and the general public with the skills to critically assess and responsibly engage with information in the digital space, combat misinformation, and promote professionalism.

The Minister congratulated the NUJ on its 70th anniversary of dedicated service to the nation and reaffirmed the Tinubu Administration’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom as a cornerstone for the growth and sustainability of democracy in Nigeria.

Earlier, NUJ President Alhaji Alhassan Yahaya commended President Tinubu for appointing a media professional as Minister of Information and National Orientation.

He pledged the Union’s partnership with the ministry in showcasing the administration’s laudable achievements.

He also briefed the Minister on the activities planned for the NUJ’s 70th anniversary, during which the Minister is expected to serve as Chief Host.