The growing influence of technology platforms over what Nigerians see, share and believe is creating an accountability gap that requires stronger scrutiny from both digital platforms and regulators, participants at a multistakeholder dialogue in Abuja have said.
The dialogue on Wednesday was organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) bringing together newsroom leaders, journalists, regulators, civil society actors and other stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s response to emerging digital harms while safeguarding freedom of expression.
From scams encountered on social media to artificial intelligence systems capable of generating convincing misinformation and impersonating people, discussions at the event focused on how the digital environment is increasingly shaping everyday life faster than traditional accountability systems can respond.
Power shift
Dapo Olorunyomi, Chief Executive Officer of CJID, said the concentration of consequential power has increasingly shifted beyond governments to private technology companies whose platforms now influence communication, commerce, politics and access to information.
