PERCEPTION, ACCEPTANCE OR RESISTANCE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AMONG JOURNALISTS IN NIGERIA
Author(s) Name:
UDEOBASI NGOZI BLESSING EMAIL: udeobasingoziblessing@gmail.com
& MICHAEL O. UKONU
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
Year of Publication:
2024
Volume:
Vol. 1. August, 2024

Abstract
Like every known world innovation, the advent of artificial intelligence and its rapid intrusion into the everyday life of humans has left many on their toes. AI is gradually, if not rapidly changing the way journalists gather, edit and disseminate news stories. From research to sourcing to news writing, AI has greatly influenced what is needed to run a contemporary newsroom. To ascertain the perception and adoption of artificial intelligence tools by journalists in Nigeria, this study utilised online surveys targeting journalists working in digital, print, or broadcast media outlets across the country. From the population of 15,000 journalists registered with the Nigerian Union of Journalists, a sample size of 390 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. The researcher identified at least one journalist from popular newsrooms across the country who helped as research assistants to share the online questionnaire with their colleagues. Anchored on the Diffusion of Innovation, and Mediamorphosis theories, the study found among other things that majority of journalists believe that AI plays an important positive role in making the journalistic process easier. Also, journalists in Nigeria are not resistant to using AI tools for their work, rather they are either neutral or open-minded to the benefits of AI tools in the journalism practice. Above all, the study found that journalists in Nigeria are not bothered about AI taking over their jobs but are rather worried about how it will negatively impact the quality of news coverage and ethics of journalism practice.
KEYWORDS: Acceptance, resistance, perception, adoption, artificial intelligence, automation, robot-journalism, journalists
Editorial Team
Editor-in-Chief
Prof. Michael O. Ukonu
Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Dr Blessing Chinweobo-Onuoha
Associate Editors
Prof. L.I. Anorue
Prof. J. Wogu
Prof. G. Ezeah
Prof. C.C. Okpoko
Review
Dr Chidiebere Nwachukwu
Dr Ozioma Nwokedi
Dr Victor Nwogbo
Dr Belinda Anyakoha
Dr Uchenna Eze
Dr Ike Ugbor
Secretary
Dr Stephen Ogbodoh
Design Editor
Dr Ike Elike
Business Manager
Dr Martin Ezugwu
Editorial Consultants
Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro, Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State
Professor Sunny Udezeh, Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State
Professor Ezekiel Asemah, Vice Chancellor’s Office, Glorious Vision University, Benin, Edo State
Professor Jude Terna Kur, Department of Information Science and Media Studies, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State
Prof. Rotimi Williams Olatunji, School of Communications, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State
Prof Walter IhejirikaDr. Chukwujekwu Charles Onwuka Department of Sociology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. Email: cc.onwuka@coou.edu.ng
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