Experts task ECOWAS Parliament on addressing AI-generated fake news

-SPECIAL REPORT-

ECOWAS Parliament Urged to Tackle AI-Generated Fake News

In a decisive move to confront the growing menace of digital disinformation, media and ICT experts have called on the ECOWAS Parliament to establish a strategic framework to combat the surge of fake news generated by Artificial Intelligence across West Africa.

This appeal was made during the ECOWAS Parliament’s 2025 Second Extraordinary Session held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where the sub-theme “Disinformation and Misinformation in the Era of AI: Challenges for Governance in the ECOWAS Sub-region” took center stage.

The week-long session brought together regional stakeholders, lawmakers, and technology professionals to address the alarming rise of AI-driven misinformation, particularly on social media platforms. Experts warned that the unchecked spread of such content threatens to destabilize societies, erode public trust, and complicate governance in an already diverse and fragile region.

Kierimagha Obomanu, Deputy Director of Rivers Broadcasting Corporation, emphasized the need for a dedicated agency to monitor and regulate AI-generated disinformation. He argued that such an institution would not only streamline governance but also accelerate the delivery of development goals.

However, Obomanu cautioned against overregulation, advocating instead for a “guided regulation” that preserves citizens’ rights to access information while curbing harmful content.

The session highlighted the ECOWAS sub-region’s lack of robust fact-checking infrastructure. Obomanu and others called for increased investment in journalist training to equip media professionals with the tools needed to verify and counter false narratives. Dr. Christian Odo, an ICT expert, stressed the importance of sensitizing the public about the dangers of manipulated information, noting that divisive themes such as ethnicity and religion are often exploited to sow discord.

Suleiman Gumi added that perpetrators of fake news should face sanctions, pointing out that malicious AI-generated content is increasingly weaponized for personal, political, and economic gain. Grace Abiante, another IT expert, echoed the call for public education and emphasized the need for a well-regulated framework to prevent the misuse of AI technologies.

The experts collectively urged ECOWAS lawmakers to act swiftly, warning that failure to address the issue could lead to widespread social upheaval and undermine democratic institutions.

Their recommendations signal a growing awareness of the transformative, and potentially destructive, power of AI in shaping public discourse and governance across West Africa.