Dean of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC), Simon Agianab, has challenged journalists covering Parliament to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve the accuracy, depth and efficiency of parliamentary reporting while maintaining high professional and ethical standards.
According to him, parliamentary journalism requires constitutional knowledge, professional competence and a commitment to informing the public about decisions that affect their lives.
Speaking at a two-workshop for members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) on Thursday, Mr Agianab highlighted the opportunities AI presents for transcribing parliamentary debates, summarising lengthy reports, analysing budgets and researching legislation, enabling journalists to produce more informed stories on parliamentary business.
He, however, cautioned that technology must complement, rather than replace, professional judgement and independent verification.
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“AI tools can assist journalists in transcribing debates, summarising lengthy reports, analysing budgets and researching legislation. However, these tools must support rather than replace professional judgement,” he said.
Mr Agianab urged journalists to verify AI-generated information against reliable sources, protect confidential information and avoid publishing fabricated quotations or misleading content.
The Dean emphasised the importance of understanding parliamentary privileges and immunities under Articles 115 and 116 of the 1992 Constitution, which protect freedom of speech and debate in parliamentary proceedings.
He cautioned that these protections do not automatically exempt every publication outside Parliament from applicable legal and ethical obligations.
“Journalists must report proceedings accurately and fairly, distinguish Parliamentary statements from independent facts,” he stated.
Mr Agianab also urged parliamentary correspondents to familiarise themselves with the Standing Orders, legislative procedures, committee work, motions, amendments and voting processes.
Journalists, he said, need to understand the distinction between bills and Acts, committee recommendations and decisions of the House, as well as political claims and verified facts.
“Although financial pressures, inadequate remuneration and competition for audiences can be challenging, they must not justify bribery, sensationalism, misinformation or compromised editorial independence,” he said.
He added that media organisations have a responsibility to provide fair working conditions and protect journalists from improper commercial and political influence.
The Dean further encouraged journalists to utilise the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), to obtain relevant public records, investigate government expenditure and scrutinise policy implementation, subject to the law’s exemptions and procedures.
“Journalists should use this framework to obtain relevant public records, investigate government expenditure, scrutinise policy implementation and strengthen evidence-based parliamentary reporting,” he said.
Mr Agianab urged parliamentary correspondents to remain courageous in questioning authority, resist improper inducements and maintain their independence while reporting on the legislature.
He also called on Parliament to recognise the media’s legitimate role in promoting transparency and accountability, stressing that the credibility of parliamentary journalism depends on the integrity with which journalists gather, verify and communicate information.
“The credibility of Parliamentary reporting rests not only on the information we obtain, but also on the integrity with which we verify, interpret and communicate it,” he said.
He urged participants to use the workshop to renew their commitment to responsible reporting, continuous professional development and the public interest.