Sapana Abuyi speaks to Eye Radio. (Photo: Lou Nelson).

The Director General of the Media Authority has urged South Sudanese journalists to embrace artificial intelligence responsibly, saying media practitioners must understand how the technology works and use it in ways that strengthen journalism.

Speaking at the close of a breakfast meeting on the use of artificial intelligence in media Sapana Abui, said journalists in South Sudan are already keeping pace with global developments in AI and should continue building their skills to use the technology effectively.

He called on media professionals to verify the origins of AI-generated content and develop the capacity to distinguish between information produced by humans and that generated by machines.

Abui said artificial intelligence should be viewed as a tool that can support newsroom operations rather than replace journalists.

“Without journalists, the news will not be authentic. Your thinking, your decision, your words you put are the ones that will put more meaning to the news,” he said.

He also called for greater investment in media training, digital infrastructure and newsroom equipment, saying many media houses continue to face financial and technological constraints that limit their ability to benefit from emerging technologies.

Joice Maker of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) said participants agreed that artificial intelligence is becoming a permanent feature of the media landscape and that attention should now focus on how it can be used responsibly and ethically.

“AI is here to stay. It’s not a question of whether we should engage with it. It’s a matter of how do we engage with it and make sure that we are engaging responsibly, ethically, and using it effectively,” Maker said.

She said recommendations raised during the discussions would be reviewed with partners to identify immediate and long-term support for the media sector. Maker also called for stronger follow-up on resolutions reached during media forums.

“We need to start making more action-oriented plans and taking up those roles and holding each other accountable,” she said.

Eye Radio Station Manager Koang Pal Chang said journalists have a responsibility to contribute to a positive image of South Sudan while maintaining their watchdog role.

“We have a big responsibility as a media house in this country,” Chang said. “This is our country, and for all of us, we need to work so that we don’t find ourselves in the same situation, but in a different situation where we see our country looking like other countries.”

He said the media should continue reporting positive developments while holding leaders accountable for their actions.

“We need to advise them that let’s just work for the better of this country through your media house, where you can be reporting good things about this country, or hold the leadership accountable so that they do a better work,” Chang said.

The breakfast meeting brought together journalists, media managers, development partners and media regulators to discuss the growing use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms and its implications for journalism in South Sudan.