Journalists urged to embrace AI in conservation reporting, tackling disinformation

The remarks were made during the launch of a Swahili-language environmental journalism platform by Mongabay in Nairobi, which aims to expand access to climate and conservation reporting to millions of Swahili speakers across East Africa and beyond.

Held under the theme Truth in the Age of Noise: Conservation Journalism, Disinformation and the Promise of Artificial Intelligence the speakers noted that while technology continues to transform how information is produced and shared, the human element of journalism that is critical thinking, ethical standards and accountability remains essential in maintaining public trust.

The launch event was officiated by Stephen Isaboke, Principal Secretary, State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunication, whose speech was delivered by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Temesi Mukani.

Tanui said credible and science-based journalism is essential in an era where digital platforms have increased the spread of misinformation.

“In a continent that harbors more than 400 million social media users, this is fertile ground for disinformation,” he said, adding that credible journalism in widely understood languages is vital for protecting the integrity of public discourse.

Speakers also emphasized that making credible information accessible to wider audiences requires communicating those issues in languages that communities understand.

David Akana, Director of Programs for Mongabay Africa, said that using local languages is key to ensuring environmental information reaches communities that are directly affected by climate change and biodiversity loss.

“While English might be important for us to use in this region, we also recognize that using local languages is even more appropriate, as our communities engage and transact through them more,” he said.

Akana noted that the Swahili platform is intended to make environmental and climate reporting more accessible, while also strengthening conversations around nature conservation and sustainable development across East Africa.

Additionally, Andy Kagwa, Operations Editor at Standard Group said that while AI has the potential to spread misinformation and manipulated content, it can also strengthen journalism by supporting fact-checking, translation and data analysis when used responsibly.

“Journalists must adapt to technological changes while ensuring that professional standards remain intact. AI will shape the future of journalism. It is not going to replace us as some people think,” he said.

According to him, the rise of AI has brought challenges such as misleading narratives, manipulated images and fabricated stories designed to attract online traffic. That is why journalists must remain vigilant and ensure that the information they publish is credible and verified before reaching the public.

“Even when looking at speed and accuracy, editors and reporters must ensure that whatever we give out to the public is credible,” he said.

“Newsrooms must therefore embrace innovation while strengthening fact-based reporting to ensure the public receives reliable information on issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental conservation,” said Dr. Jackie Lidubwi, media and communications expert and a lecturer at Africa Nazarene University.

Mongabay focuses its reporting on the relationship between people and nature, covering issues such as biodiversity, climate change, pollution, land degradation and oceans. The African team also highlights solutions and holds governments and other actors accountable for environmental commitments.

Media veteran Ann Ngugi said that information has little value if it does not reach the intended audience. She said communicating climate issues in accessible languages such as Swahili can help vulnerable communities better prepare for and adapt to climate-related disasters.

“Information justice means that a farmer, a motorbike rider, a pastoralist, a fisherman each has the same access to climate information as a scientist in another part of the world,” she said.

Ngugi added that complex environmental terms such as carbon credits, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss must be simplified so that communities can understand and act on the information.