Communication Scholars and Professionals Canvass AI, Digital Engagements for National Renewal.

 

 

From Victor Osula, Abuja

 

 

Against the backdrop of digital renewal in many areas of life globally, the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, ACSPN, have urged the government to adopt a digital communication agenda for national development.

This was the major decision taken by the association at its 10th annual conference held recently in Abuja with the theme, “Digital Communication Agenda and Nigeria’s Transformation”.

The 2-day conference which was attended daily by over a hundred and fifty individuals, representing communication scholars, media professionals and representatives of professional bodies within and outside Nigeria, attracted notable communication scholars such as Dr. Monday Ashibogwu, CEO, Billbox Services, whose key note address dwelt on the confab’s theme;  Prof. Muhammad Danladi Musa of Al’Ain University, UAE, who reviewed the critical academic and professional contributions of the founding President of the Association, late Prof. Muraina Olayiwola Oso, to media and communication practice and scholarship in Nigeria and globally; and Prof Hopetun Duun of the University of Botswana who spoke on the, “The Rise of Open AI: Opportunities, Ethical Issues and Policy Challenges of AI in the Global South”

The welcome address was delivered by the ACSPN President, Prof. Umaru A. Pate.

According to the General Secretary of the association, Professor Nosa Owens-Ibie, the conferees deliberated upon 19 major topics and made 15 resolutions. The deliberations are:

1. Evolving global digital trends in journalism, particularly emerging technologies have significantly changed journalism practice.
2. The Association’s drive at mainstreaming contemporary global realities into teaching and training in tertiary education have been supported by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and led to a total overhaul of tertiary education policy formulation and implementation in Nigerian universities.
3. Communication scholars must continue to enhance their capacity to be able to train future digital communication professionals in the face of the dynamics in the sector.
4. ACSPN will continue to collaborate with the leadership of professional bodies in the sector to eliminate imposters and sanitise the profession.
5. Proliferation of digital technologies and social media provides opportunities for transnational engagements and promotion of cultural heritage in online communities
6. The citizenry over relies on information from online sources which are often unreliable, and this continues to misinform and disinform the citizenry.
7. The citizenry have become impatient in consuming and sharing information online, which is a major contributor to the virulent circle of unverified information.
8. There is a prevalent unethical use of digital communication technologies to violate the rights of minors, especially on social media.
9. Social media regulation is challenging, and the government has yet to device a means of social media governance.

10.Social media behavioural patterns are triggered by frustration with developments in the country.

11.Digital revolution has empowered FinTech and Entrepreneurship Innovations

12. Digital engagements are impacting on Nigeria’s nationalism and has created a vibrant online community that is showcasing its diversity, including the Diasporans who are leveraging on digital platforms to showcase our culture

13.There is a pandemic of ethnic vituperations and weaponisation of ethnic diatribes in Nigeria’s digital engagements, and this is destructive for national

development.

14.Most African countries have not yet developed AI legislation, except Kenya, Egypt and Mauritius.

15.AI is replicating global disparity in digital divide

16.The NCC supports research in relevant areas that include digital communication technologies.

17.Digital technologies have revolutionized production, distribution and consumption of contents, and led to the emergence of proconsumers.

18.Resources are a major challenge for communication education and training institutions.

19.AI provides opportunities to build new ethical guidelines and develop new creative skillsets.

The adopted resolutions are;

1. Communication scholars and practitioners should offer relevant and significant contributions to guide government in terms of policy formulation and implementation in the area of digital communication.
2. The ACSPN and other communication and media related associations shall coexist and collaborate to promote communication professionalism and scholarship in Nigeria and globally.
3. Ethics and quality of research and publications should be prioritized to enhance the contributions of scholars and professionals to media and communication practice.
4. Communication scholars in Nigeria should increase their visibility on the digital space through research in high quality journals and other digital publications.
5. African countries should be proactive in developing AI Legislations to address emerging challenges associated with AI as a global trend.
6. Nigeria should develop an evolving AI Legislation while striking a balance between regulating digital environments and ensuring freedom of speech.
7. There is need to bridge the gaps between scholars and media practitioners in terms of experience on emerging digital technologies and developments to enhance training, teaching and capacity building.
8. Ethics and quality should be prioritized in research and publications.
9. ACSPN will partner with the relevant professional bodies in the media and communication industry to ensure that only duly certified persons shall
practice as experts in their respective fields

10.African countries should integrate their indigenous cultural materials into AI.

11.Actors in the digital space should ensure that digital engagements are devoid of misinformation and disinformation.

12.The media industry should adopt new technologies to enhance  professionalism and explore opportunities as apprehension towards new technologies normal.

13.Educational institutions and other stakeholders in the media and communication industry should provide resources for communication educators to enhance teaching and productivity in scholarship and media practice.

14.Communication training institutions should develop new mindsets by using AI for teaching assessments, virtual tutoring, teaching evaluation, and other opportunities.

15.Stakeholders in the Nigerian digital space should not prioritize aesthetics over accuracy and correctness of information in the digital media space.

Goodwill messages came from the UNESCO Regional Office in Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), and African Council for Communication Education (ACCE, Nigeria Chapter).