By Kemiso Wessie
The rapid transformation of journalism in the digital age demands a re-evaluation of education, practice and ethical frameworks. Few understand this better than Professor Carol Azungi Dralega, whose work bridges the fields of digitisation, artificial intelligence (AI) and African journalism. Her latest edited book, Digitisation, AI, and Algorithms in African Journalism and Media Contexts, tackles the implications of technological advancements on the African media landscape.
The book includes contributions from twenty researchers, academics and practitioners from Africa and Europe, including Raheemat Adeniran, Amia Pamela, Margaret Jjuuko, Irene Larraz and others. This critical work, she explains, aspires to “reshape the field by providing a lens through which the implications of digitisation, AI and algorithms on journalism practices, policy, and education can be understood.” With insights ranging from algorithmic biases and representation to media sustainability, the various collections equip educators, researchers and practitioners with tools to navigate these challenges and reimagine journalism education and practice across the continent.
Algorithms are often hailed as neutral tools but their biases have far-reaching consequences, particularly for marginalised perspectives. In the context of African journalism, these biases exacerbate existing inequalities. Dralega emphasises the importance of algorithmic literacy, transparency and participation in creating tools that reflect African realities.
Published December 2023
“Algorithmic biases often marginalise African perspectives as these technologies are predominantly developed in socio-economic and cultural contexts outside the continent,” she notes. The book encourages African journalists to champion localised solutions. Community-centered approaches, coupled with an emphasis on local content creation, can combat these challenges.
Educators and media organisations on the continent face a dual landscape of challenges and opportunities in integrating AI and algorithms. Key obstacles include the digital divide, inadequate infrastructure and a lack of localised data. Yet, Dralega sees a transformative potential in AI for storytelling, media sustainability and representation.
“AI and algorithms offer significant opportunities for the African media landscape,” she asserts. Educators can integrate these technologies into curricula, equipping students with marketable skills, while media organisations can harness AI to combat misinformation, personalise storytelling and analyse audience behaviour for targeted content.
This sentiment is echoed in her book collection, which reveals how organisations like the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) use AI to optimise content distribution. Similarly, Kenya’s Nation Media Group has embraced digital tools to improve efficiency. These examples illustrate how AI can enhance the relevance and reach of African media in a constantly digitising world.
Dralega’s exploration of AI extends beyond journalism to health communication, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her research highlights how AI-driven tools helped address misinformation, predict virus hotspots and disseminate accurate health information in real-time.
“Chatbots powered by AI were employed by health organizations to answer frequently asked questions, providing accessible and reliable information to the public while reducing the workload on healthcare providers,” she recounts. However, challenges such as limited infrastructure and linguistic diversity often hindered the effectiveness of these initiatives.
In general, this work underscores the need for inclusive approaches to AI implementation. By investing in digital infrastructure and fostering local talent, governments and health organisations can bridge these gaps and enhance their ability to respond to future crises.
Dralega is a strong advocate for the role of African journalism schools in reshaping global discourses on AI and media. She argues that these institutions are uniquely positioned to address the socio-cultural and economic realities of the continent, often overlooked in Western-dominated discussions.
“By embedding critical literacy on AI and algorithms into their curricula, [African journalism] institutions can empower students to critically evaluate and influence the development of media technologies,” she states. This includes creating AI tools tailored to African needs, such as multilingual content generators and culturally relevant fact-checking systems.
By embracing indigenous knowledge and expanding global technological narratives, African journalism schools can drive more inclusive media practices. Dralega sees them as hubs for advocacy and innovation, hosting conferences, fostering collaborations and producing cutting-edge research. These efforts can reshape AI’s role in media and ensure global technologies reflect diverse human experiences.
Despite her extensive work in academia, research, and education, Dralega maintains a balance by integrating these pursuits. “My teaching is heavily informed by research, ensuring students engage with relevant, evidence-based knowledge,” she shares. “Classroom interactions sometimes inspire new research ideas,” she adds with the example of collaborating with students on research and publishing projects which provides them with hands-on learning experiences.” Her passion for applied research stems from its potential to generate insights that lead to social change.
Her work underscores the transformative potential of education and research in tackling critical global challenges. Offering both a sharp critique and a forward-thinking roadmap, Dralega ensures that African voices are not only present but pivotal in global discussions on technology and media. Through her efforts, she is charting a path toward a more inclusive and equitable future for African journalism.
This article, Professor Carol Azungi Dralega on AI, Covid and the Classroom was originally published on December 2 2024 by the Ajen newsletter.