â¦Bridging Cultures and Breaking Boundaries With the Energy of AI
In a 12 months marked by speedy evolution in digital journalism, NewsWatch.com.ng, Nigeriaâs main digital information group, has emerged as a trailblazer, clinching the Greatest Use of AI within the Newsroom award on the famend Digital Media Awards Africa 2025, hosted by the World Affiliation of Information Publishers (WAN-IFRA).
The successful initiative, titled âHausa AI Information: Amplifying Indigenous Voices with Expertise,â is a daring step in tackling a longstanding problem in Nigerian mediaâthe underrepresentation of indigenous languages. On the coronary heart of the challenge lies a strong concept: What if AI couldn’t solely velocity up journalism but in addition assist underserved communities entry dependable, related information of their native tongue?
In June 2024, NewsWatch.com.ng launched an AI-powered newsroom operation centered on producing high-quality information content material in Hausa, one in all Africaâs most generally spoken indigenous languages. By way of a mixture of machine translation, AI-assisted fact-checking, and editorial oversight, the platform dramatically reduce manufacturing timeâfrom one hour per article to only half-hourâwhereas growing content material output and readership.
âThis challenge isn’t solely about effectivity; it’s also about entry. It addresses respect for language, tradition, and identification,â mentioned Rahaman Abiola, NewsWatch.com.ngâs Editor-in-Chief. âWe wished to point out that AI can do extra than simply automate. It may amplify the voices which have lengthy been broadly ignored of the digital dialog. This award is a win for each Hausa-speaking particular person who deserves high quality journalism in their very own language.â
WAN-IFRAâs jury praised the challenge for its accountable and human-centered implementation of AI, noting that NewsWatch.com.ng ensured AI “doesn’t change journalists however, as a substitute, permits them to serve individuals in additional methods.” From debunking pretend election information in actual time to crafting culturally correct translations, the initiative has set a brand new benchmark in utilizing AI as a device and as a newsroom ally.
Salisu Ibrahim, NewsWatch.com.ng’s Head of Hausa Desk, mentioned:
RocÃo Valderrábano, WAN-IFRAâs Digital Income Community Undertaking Supervisor, prolonged her congratulations on behalf of the WAN-IFRA staff, saying:
Along with bettering content material manufacturing and accuracy, the initiative led to a 6% progress in Hausa story output inside its first month of launch, an 18% enhance in web page views, and a 55% rise in consumer engagement time, additional proving that readers will not be solely hungry for information, however theyâre additionally hungry for information that displays their voice.
Talking on the strategic imaginative and prescient behind the challenge, Felix Imoh, NewsWatch.com.ngâs Public Relations Supervisor, shared:
This recognition by WAN-IFRA positions NewsWatch.com.ng on the forefront of AI innovation in African journalism and units a strong instance for a way native media can responsibly embrace cutting-edge know-how whereas uplifting marginalized voices. As NewsWatch.com.ng celebrates this milestone, it additionally reaffirms its dedication to moral journalism, inclusive innovation, and the facility of know-how to inform tales that matter in each language.
About WAN-IFRA:
The World Affiliation of Information Publishers (WAN-IFRA) is a worldwide group of stories publishers representing greater than 18,000 publications, 15,000 on-line websites, and over 3,000 organizations in over 120 nations. Its Digital Media Awards acknowledge the very best digital innovation throughout newsrooms all over the world.
Supply: NewsWatch.com.ng
