Gambia Trains Journalists on AI in Media as African Union of Broadcasting Assembly Convenes in Banjul

The Gambia’s Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, in partnership with the African Union of Broadcasting, has launched a two-day capacity-building programme for Gambian journalists on artificial intelligence and broadcasting, held as part of the 17th General Assembly for journalists in Banjul from April 13 to 16.

The training, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence in Media Content” and held at the National Nutrition Agency conference hall, is designed to equip Gambian media professionals with skills for ethical, innovative and future-ready journalism. The initiative brought together journalists, media practitioners and industry experts to explore how AI is reshaping the media landscape — particularly in areas such as fake news detection, deepfake identification and the verification of synthetic content.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Information, Communication, Media and Broadcasting Ismaila Ceesay underscored the government’s commitment to translating ideas into concrete action, noting that The Gambia’s participation in international engagements — including the China-Africa Media Summit — is already yielding tangible benefits for journalists. Ceesay said the training would “sharpen skills in AI-driven content creation, fact-checking, and misinformation control,” adding that it was critical for journalists operating in today’s fast-changing digital environment.

He emphasized that the media landscape has evolved significantly, with news now breaking on digital platforms before reaching traditional outlets such as radio and television. “The world is changing. Today, news breaks on digital platforms even before it is broadcast on radio or television. This makes such training not optional, but essential in our daily professional lives,” he said.

The minister also cautioned journalists about the risks associated with AI — particularly misinformation, deepfakes and manipulated content — stressing the importance of building capacity to detect and verify false information. “As a government, we want Gambian journalists to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to responsibly use AI,” he said.

Training sessions were facilitated by Beaugras-Orain of the National Radio and Television Administration, who provided insights into the growing role of AI in journalism, focusing on both the opportunities and risks — including the rise of deepfake videos, manipulated images and AI-generated content that can mislead audiences if not properly verified.

Veteran journalist and moderator Haman Mana underscored the importance of responsible use of AI in journalism. “If used well, AI can greatly support journalism. But if misused, it can undermine the credibility of journalists,” he warned, commending the government for supporting the initiative and urging participants to engage actively to strengthen their professional capacity.

Dr. Xue Ziyu and Zhang Zhen, trainers from the National Radio and Television Administration of the People’s Republic of China, described the programme as a significant milestone in strengthening ethical journalism and modernizing The Gambia’s media landscape, noting it reflects growing efforts to embrace digital transformation while promoting responsible, accurate journalism.

Participants shared positive reflections on the training, particularly on AI’s growing role in detecting fake news and improving fact-checking. Ebrima Bah of the Gambia Radio and Television Services said the training was crucial, noting that emerging technologies now make it easier for journalists to identify fake news and improve verification using AI tools. Dodou Lamin of the Gambia Daily highlighted how technological advancements are improving efficiency in journalism while stressing the need for continuous training. Other participants, including Juldeh Njie of QTV and Ebrima Gaye of Choice FM, echoed similar views, noting that AI is becoming an essential part of daily newsroom operations and that understanding and properly applying AI tools is key to maintaining professionalism, credibility and accuracy.

As the media environment continues to evolve, stakeholders agreed that initiatives like the training will play a critical role in preparing Gambian journalists to navigate both the opportunities and challenges of AI — ultimately contributing to a more informed and resilient society.