Two-Thirds of African media professionals struggle to detect AI-generated fake news, survey shows
With the growing volume of manipulated political content on social media, a new survey delivers sobering news: 66% of African communications professionals feel only “somewhat equipped” to identify AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes.
The revelation comes from a survey conducted by Blackhouse Media (BHM) across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, published in a white paper titled “AI Ethics in Africa’s Media and Communications Landscape: A Readiness Framework for 2026 & Beyond.”
The white paper highlights a critical vulnerability in the continent’s information ecosystem, just as artificial intelligence makes it easier than ever to create convincing fake content.
“Deepfakes and AI-generated disinformation are no longer science fiction, they’re weapons being deployed right now on social media,” says Femi Falodun, Executive Director, BHM. “And our gatekeepers: the journalists, content creators and communications professionals who should protect information integrity, are admitting they can’t reliably spot these threats.”
The timing is particularly concerning for Nigeria, where social media has become a primary battleground for political messaging. WhatsApp forwards, Twitter threads, and Facebook posts increasingly shape public opinion, yet few recipients have the tools to distinguish authentic content from AI-generated fabrications.
Recent examples underscore the danger. AI-generated audio clips purporting to be politicians making inflammatory statements, manipulated videos showing public figures at events they never attended, and entirely fabricated news articles designed to inflame ethnic or religious tensions have all circulated widely on Nigerian social media in recent months.
“During election season, the volume and sophistication of disinformation increases exponentially,” warns Falodun. “If two-thirds of professionals struggle to detect it, imagine the challenges facing everyday citizens.”
The survey revealed additional troubling findings: 73% of respondents lack confidence in identifying cultural bias in AI-generated content, while 90% of organisations seem unprepared for upcoming AI regulations. Together, these data points paint a picture of an industry struggling to keep pace with technological change.
The research prompted BHM to develop the OMOLUABI-AWARE framework, which specifically addresses misinformation and narrative control as a core pillar of AI readiness. The framework draws on the Yoruba concept of Omoluabi––emphasising integrity and moral character—to ground AI ethics in African values.
“Our traditional emphasis on truth-telling and community responsibility provides a strong foundation for combating misinformation,” notes Ayeni Adekunle, BHM Founder/CEO. “But we need to translate those values into practical digital literacy skills.”
Experts say the detection gap poses risks beyond politics. Commercial misinformation, manipulated health information, and financial scams using AI-generated content all threaten public welfare.
Media organisations are beginning to respond. Some Nigerian newsrooms have established AI detection protocols, invested in verification tools, and trained staff to scrutinize suspicious content. However, these remain exceptions rather than industry standards.
BHM’s white paper recommends immediate action: systematic training for media professionals in deepfake detection, investment in technological verification tools, and public education campaigns to build critical media literacy among consumers.
“We can’t put this genie back in the bottle,” Falodun acknowledges. “But we can equip our people with the skills to navigate this new reality. The alternative, which is allowing AI-generated misinformation to corrode trust in our information systems, is simply unacceptable.”
The full survey findings and recommendations are available in BHM’s AI Ethics White Paper at [bhmng.com/AIEthicsWhitePaper]
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