Artificial Intelligence in Nigerian Broadcasting, Opportunities, Ethical Challenges and Public Trust
Abstract
With particular reference to NTA, Radio Nigeria, and Lion FM, this paper examines the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigerian broadcasting, emphasizing the opportunities, moral dilemmas, and public trust. Concerns about a lack of institutional support, moral quandaries, and public mistrust that could impede successful integration, as well as the growing use of AI in media, are the driving forces for the study. The study explores the perceptions and adoptions of AI, as well as its consequences for media practices and audience trust, under the guidance of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Framing Theory. Using a convergent paral of mixed approaches the study explores the perceptions and adoptions of AI, as well as its consequences for media practices and audience trust, under the guidance of the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Framing Theory. A mixed-methods convergent parallel design was used to gather data, which included interviews with 12 media practitioners and a survey of 384 broadcast audiences in Enugu State. In order to gather data for the design, 12 media professionals were interviewed and 384 broadcast audiences in Enugu State were surveyed. Results show that AI adoption at the stations is still in its infancy, with practitioners utilizing AI on their own because of a lack of institutional resources and training. While there are still issues with trust, false information, and ethical use, audience awareness is moderate. AI has potential for improved production efficiency, high-quality material, and creative narrative, but these are underutilized in the absence of organized assistance. In order to maximize AI integration, the study emphasizes the necessity of audience education, ethical standards, training, and openness. Formal AI training programs, ethical policy implementation, audience education on AI use, and additional study on the technology's effects on broadcasting practices are among the recommendations. By providing insights for scholars, media organizations, and policymakers, the study advances our understanding of the ethical and practical consequences of AI in Nigerian media.
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