South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Chairperson of the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS) Josephine Achiro, has called on South Sudanese journalists to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) while exercising caution and responsibility.
Speaking at the closing of a two-day training session on Wednesday, Achiro acknowledged that AI is rapidly changing the journalism landscape but warned that without ethical use and proper training, these tools could damage the credibility of the media and mislead the public.
“Whether we like it or not, AI is here, and it’s becoming part of our journalism ecosystem. But we must not allow it to control or destroy our profession,” she said.
Achiro stressed that AI should enhance, not replace, core journalism values such as fact-checking, editorial judgment, and context. She cited growing concerns over misinformation amplified by social media, which can be worsened by AI-generated content.
“People post small, unverified information on social media, and it spreads like wildfire,” she warned. “As journalists, we must protect the truth, even in the age of AI.”
She highlighted the urgent need for practical training on AI tools, noting that many journalists use these technologies without fully understanding their implications.
“We need time and practical training to understand how to use AI correctly,” Achiro said. “When we don’t review what AI generates, we risk publishing content that harms others.”
Achiro also emphasized that professional journalists must lead by example, especially as citizen journalism and unregulated content continue to rise.
“Let citizen journalists make mistakes, but as professionals, we must correct them,” she urged. “The future of this nation is in your hands, and your communities believe in you.”
Her comments come amid a growing global debate over the ethical use of AI in newsrooms, as well as concerns about deep fakes, automated disinformation, and the role of algorithms in shaping public opinion.
Achiro concluded by calling for unity among journalists to build a media environment that leverages AI for the public good without compromising truth, ethics, or national stability.
Meanwhile, John Agok, a representative of the participants, described the training as both “timely and crucial,” particularly in light of the increasing spread of misinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence.
“There is an urgent need for more training on the responsible use of AI in the country,” he said.
