By Kivisu Harrison
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Journalists in Mombasa County have been urged to verify information before sharing online as artificial intelligence (AI) can be misused to spread misinformation and propaganda.
In a two-day training programme, Baraza Media Lab and Mombasa Press Club took journalists through intellectual property rights, data protection and mental health.
Lawyer Felicia Tunje warned that AI-generated images, videos and text are increasingly being used to spread false information, especially on the ongoing ‘poisoned’ political climate.
“In this season of politics where false information, misleading reports and propaganda are being spread, Kenyans must be careful about sharing unverified information,” she said.
The lawyer took the 20 journalists through Kenya’s Copyright Act, Trademark Act, data protection laws, defamation and the ethical use of AI in newsrooms.
“Some of this content is created using AI technology, making it hard to tell what is true or false, especially when presented through images or video.”
Lawyer Lillian Makanga asked journalists to verify their content before publishing to avoid legal liabilities arising from using AI-generated misinformation.
“With deepfakes and AI voice cloning, the old rule of ‘seeing is believing’ no longer applies. Verification is now part of every journalist’s job,” she said.
The training also addressed mental health challenges facing journalists, including stress, burnout and trauma associated with their work.
Baraza Media Lab Mombasa Chapter media and communications coordinator Rajab Salim said the programme aimed at equipping journalists with practical skills to identify manipulated content, understand their legal rights and responsibilities, and promote well-being in demanding newsroom environments.
“The workshop also provided journalists with guidance on copyright protection, fair use of content and handling defamation claims in the digital age,” he said.
Founded in 2019, Baraza Media Lab has become a leading force in Africa’s media and creative landscape.
“As a dynamic platform for media practitioners and creatives, we are dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where innovative ideas and experimentation thrive,” he said.
The coordinator added, “Our mission is to build a vibrant community committed to the public interest, advancing collaborative storytelling, elevating media and creative skills, and nurturing new business models across Kenya, neighboring regions, and the entire continent.”
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