Maritime journalists urged to use AI without surrendering editorial judgement
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A Lagos training programme is helping maritime reporters use AI for research, analysis and production while guarding against misinformation, deepfakes and breaches of journalistic ethics.
The Maritime Media and Capacity Development Centre has stepped up efforts to prepare maritime journalists for an increasingly technology-driven newsroom, with a one-day executive training in Lagos focused on the use of artificial intelligence in reporting. According to The Guardian and Daily Trend, the programme was designed to help reporters improve productivity and speed up news production without sacrificing originality, accuracy or truth.
Sesan Onileimo, chairman of the centre, said the sector is already being reshaped by AI and that journalists who cover ports, shipping, logistics and regulation need to adapt if they are to remain effective. Speaking at the opening session, he argued that AI can support research, transcription, translation, data analysis, content development and multimedia production, but warned that it should not be treated as a substitute for editorial judgement. He urged participants to keep verifying information independently and to remain committed to truth, fairness and accountability.
Onileimo also underlined the particular demands of maritime reporting, saying the beat often involves technical, economic and regulatory material that requires specialised interpretation. He said AI could help journalists make sense of indicators such as cargo throughput, vessel turnaround times and operating costs, provided those figures are checked against official records and other reliable sources. The Punch reported that he framed the training as part of a wider push to help maritime journalists build the competence needed to handle complex stories responsibly.
The MMCDC said the training was linked to a commitment made during its 10th anniversary seminar in December 2025 and forms part of the run-up to the 2026 edition of that event. Tribune Online reported that the centre described the initiative as part of the capacity-building work of First Mediacon Network Limited, while Onileimo also thanked Brooks Training Institute chief executive Emmanuel Maiguwa for providing the venue free of charge. The centre warned that the growing use of AI in newsrooms also brings risks, including misinformation, fabricated images, deepfakes, plagiarism, copyright concerns and breaches of data privacy, and it urged media organisations to keep supporting professional development in the sector.
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Source: Noah Wire Services · Original