EU and African partners call for responsible AI and protected journalists

In her opening remarks, Rita Fortunato Baptista, Political Officer for Strategic Communication, Youth and Gender at the EU Delegation to the African Union, highlighted the vital role of journalists in informing citizens, strengthening democracy and promoting peaceful societies.

“Digital transformation, and specifically AI, is a double-edged sword,” she noted, emphasising the need for safeguards and a human-centred approach to technological innovation. She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to media freedom and information integrity, stating that the EU advocates for “innovation that serves us; not technology that manipulates us.” She also stressed that journalists need decent working conditions and protection from security and economic pressures to deliver reliable, fact-based reporting.

FIMI threatens democracy and public trust by manipulating information and destabilising societies. The EU counters it through early-warning tools, regulation, international cooperation and initiatives such as EUvsDisinfo.

The EU continues to work with the African Union to strengthen ethical journalism and counter disinformation, including through the AU–EU Media Fellowship LINK,  which supports fact-based reporting and amplifies African perspectives. The EU reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation to protect journalists, counter disinformation and FIMI and uphold every citizen’s right to accurate information.

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Matthias Reusing, Adviser to the Head of Coop on Agricultural, Environment & digital agenda at the European Union Delegation to the African Union, highlighted AI’s potential to strengthen journalism through data analysis, multilingual communication and investigative reporting, while warning of risks including disinformation, manipulation and threats to media freedom. He stressed that innovation must be accompanied by safeguards, transparency and accountability to ensure AI remains trustworthy and human-centered.

“Responsible AI innovation and governance is not about choosing between innovation and values. It is about ensuring that innovation is guided by values,” Reusing said, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to an open, trustworthy and human-centered AI future.

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He also highlighted the EU’s technical assistance to the African Union in developing its Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2024 and called for stronger AU-EU cooperation on responsible AI governance. He emphasized that journalists are essential partners in countering misinformation and disinformation, strengthening democratic resilience and ensuring citizens have access to accurate, reliable information.

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