Somalia Calls for Global Cooperation on AI and the Future of Journalism
GOOBJOOG NEWS | BEIJING: Somalia has called for stronger international cooperation to address the growing impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, warning that technological advances must not come at the expense of reporting accuracy, editorial responsibility and public trust.
Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Abdifatah Kasim Mohamud made the appeal while addressing the Seventh World Media Summit in Beijing, where media leaders and representatives from different countries gathered to discuss the future of journalism amid rapid technological change.
He urged participants to turn the summit’s discussions and commitments into practical initiatives to improve journalists’ professional skills, expand access to modern technology and strengthen ethical standards across the media industry.
“Technology continues to evolve rapidly, but our responsibility to the public remains unchanged. We must embrace the opportunities it creates while addressing the challenges that may arise,” Abdifatah said.
The minister stressed that accuracy in reporting and editorial accountability should remain central as news organisations adopt AI-powered tools in news gathering, production and distribution.
On Somalia’s media sector, he highlighted the need to strengthen journalists’ professional capacity, modernise media services and invest in infrastructure to help local news organisations adapt to technological developments.
He reaffirmed Somalia’s readiness to deepen international partnerships through knowledge-sharing, information verification and practical media development initiatives with measurable outcomes.
Abdifatah also thanked the Chinese government, Xinhua News Agency and the World Media Summit Secretariat for organising the gathering.
He was accompanied by Somali National Television Director Mohamedkafi Sheikh Abukar, Somali National News Agency (SONNA) Director Ismail Mukhtar Omar and the Ministry’s Director of Media Strategy, Abdishakur Ali Ahmed.