A panel discussion held at the event focused on the potential benefits and challenges of AI in journalism, particularly in the context of press freedom and media operations.
Members of the Yaounde chapter of the Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ, have been challenged to embrace a tactful and professional use of Artificial Intelligence, AI, in their line of work as media and communication professionals. The call was made in Yaounde on Saturday May 3. This was during the CAMASEJ Yaounde chapter’s event organized to commemorate the 2025 edition of the World Press Freedom Day.
The event which was championed among others by the president of CAMASEJ Yaounde Chapter, Ajumane Francis, was held under the theme: Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and Media,”. It brought together journalists, media experts, and other participants to discuss the intersection of AI and journalism.
Media professionals urged to be watchful
A panel discussion held at the event focused on the potential benefits and challenges of AI in journalism, particularly in the context of press freedom and media operations. Panellists and participants explored how Al can be leveraged by journalists to improve efficiency, increase accuracy and contribute to the overall enhancement of their works. One of the panellists, Ayang Macdonald, touched on the use of AI by journalists to generate contents, notably laying emphasis on how such practices could raise issues linked to authorship, accountability, and the general future of journalism.
“Journalists should not use the AI to do the entirety of their work. That is laziness,” the experienced journalist who works for English language bi-weekly, Cameroon Insider, said while elaborating on the potential dangers of the dependency journalists have developed with the coming of the AI. “The AI should be used for proofreading, transcribing and translating. It should not for journalists to fully rely on embrace their writing tool and style,” the Ayang added.
Safety practices for journalists
Discussions during Saturday’s event, also touched on the larger dangers posed by Al in journalism, including the potential for job displacement. AI Trainer and Fellow of Medical IA Laboratory Academy, Anna Merveille, emphasized the need for journalists to develop skills that complement AI. including critical thinking, creativity and the thorough verification of facts.
“For one to know if the information gotten from the chat board is true, he or she needs to ask AI for different sources. If the tool cannot provide the sources of the information, it means the information is not true,” Anna Merveille said. AI expert, Boris Landry described the AI as the fourth evolution with transformative potentials tool to enhance creativity and productivity while maintaining artistic control and ownership.
“One can still use AI and still be in possession of his or her story without any changes. It all depends on how we use the tool,” veteran Cameroonian webmaster, Nelson Tawe, said. The commemorative event concluded with panellists encouraging journalists to undergo training in other to better understand the use of AI in a bid to strive in the brand new media landscape offered by technological changes like the AI.
The president of CAMASEJ Yaounde Chapter, Ajumane Francis, emphasized the importance of empowering journalists to effectively utilize Al in their work. “We have to understand and know how to use the AI. We should use the tool truthfully and not as a weapon of cheating.” Ajumane said.
