Communication and Media Codes Journal

A JOURNAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA

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 Ihejirika  

Dr. Chukwujekwu Charles Onwuka Department of Sociology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. Email: cc.onwuka@coou.edu.ng
WhatsApp no: 08064396459