Niël Terblanché
While artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to reshape media, it must be wielded thoughtfully, with a commitment to truth and public service at its core.
Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in media while opening the 8th Southern Africa Broadcasting Association (Saba) Broadcast and Digital Media Convention in Swakopmund.
Addressing media professionals from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed that AI could revolutionize broadcasting by making it more inclusive, accessible, and impactful.
She, however, cautioned that this transformation must occur with ethical considerations at the forefront.
Nandi-Ndaitwah reiterated the importance of maintaining the media’s core principles—accuracy, fairness, and credibility.
She acknowledged the role AI can play in amplifying stories and expanding their reach globally but stressed the need for practitioners to use the technology to enhance trust rather than undermine it.
“As custodians of information and shapers of public opinion, you must ensure that AI is harnessed ethically and thoughtfully,” she urged.
She added that Namibia recognizes the power of digital transformation to propel socio-economic development.
The vice president called for stronger public-private partnerships to ensure digital and broadcast information reaches both urban and rural areas.
She added that the media should leverage AI not just as a tool for innovation but as a means to enhance the public good.
“Let us ensure that technology serves the public good and strengthens our role as pillars of truth in society,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah praised the conference’s theme, “Broadcasting and Content Publishing in the AI-Infused Digital Ecosystem,” as a timely reflection of Africa’s potential to shape global digital narratives.
According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, the SADC region is united in its determination to use digital innovation as a catalyst for socio-economic growth.
She encouraged broadcasters to invest in infrastructure and research, fostering local talent to ensure the continent plays a more significant role in global technological advancements.
Adding to the discussion, Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Modestus Amutse, called for broadcasters to balance innovation with accountability.
He noted that while AI offers new opportunities in content delivery, broadcasters must remain socially responsible and uphold ethical journalism.
“The four cardinal principles of accuracy, fairness, and balance cannot be violated,” Amutse said.
The SABA president, Stanley Similo, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the important role public broadcasters play as partners with governments.
He highlighted the power of storytelling as a tool for change and urged broadcasters to continue producing content that informs and educates, particularly in areas crucial to public interest.
All the speakers at the official opening of the conference stressed the need to ensure that digital media contributes positively to societal development.
They urged broadcasters to remain committed to inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring all communities, including those in rural areas, have access to quality information.
The 8th Broadcast and Digital Media Convention serves as a platform for the region’s media stakeholders to reflect on the evolving role of AI in their industry.
