“AI cannot kill journalism” — Emmanuel Dogbevi 

Senior Ghanaian journalist Emmanuel K. Dogbevi says fears that blogging and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will replace journalism are unfounded, insisting that “technology or blogging would not kill journalism.”

He made the remarks during an informal training session with journalists in the Volta Region, dubbed Journalists’ Hangout.

According to the international media practitioner, “Bloggers are doing their bit but blogging is not journalism because of the essence and the things that go into journalism.” He added, “you cannot compare blogging with journalism. Journalism is taught at schools at the bachelor's and Master degrees as well PHD levels, so you cannot write off journalism just like that.”

Mr. Dogbevi acknowledged that mobile technology and the internet have greatly expanded access to information, “But what journalism offers is not the same as what bloggers offer.”

In his words, “Journalism offers authentic researched investigated, double-checked, fact-checked information which most bloggers don't do and the skills of journalists and focus are different so though there is concern and fear but technology or blogging would not kill journalism.”

On the growing concern that AI could threaten journalism, he explained, “AI is a tool and it has its uses.” According to him, “AI is technology and doesn't have emotions. AI doesn't have empathy. But we do journalism with empathy. Even though we are not supposed to be emotional, we are human.”

He stressed that unlike AI, journalists often gather first-hand information by being physically present at events. “For example,” he said, “if the sea overflows its banks and destroys some houses; a journalist would have to go to the site to be able to verify that fact or to verify that information.” AI, he noted, can only analyse situations based on existing data.

Mr. Dogbevi said AI should be embraced as a tool rather than feared. “AI can do parts of the things that journalism does, but when it comes to credible, responsible, accountable, impactful journalism, it takes humans to do it, and humans can always use tools, and AI could be one of those tools,” he said.

He reiterated that traditional journalism will remain relevant despite challenges, adding that journalists are already adapting by adopting new tools, technology, and methods. He cited global and regional conferences such as the Investigative Reporters and Editors Conference in the United States, the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference in South Africa, and the Global Investigative Journalism Conference as examples of platforms addressing the evolving challenges of the profession.

Highlighting the importance of journalism, he emphasised its role as a watchdog — holding the powerful accountable, exposing wrongdoing, and informing and educating the public. He stressed that “it is incumbent on everyone who cares about a stable and progressive society, to support journalism and to ensure that it is protected, defended, and that journalists have the environment and the freedom to do their work as the profession has consistently proven over the years to be a very necessary need in society.”

Explaining the motivation behind Journalists’ Hangout, Mr. Dogbevi said the initiative was born out of the difficulty of securing funding for training, even though continuous skills development is essential — particularly in the face of AI and competition from bloggers.

He recalled starting the Hangout in May 2019 as an informal session with a few journalists at his office, involving open discussions on journalism over food and drinks. As interest grew, other journalists asked to join, leading to its expansion to several regions including Ashanti, Northern, Bono, Eastern, Volta, and Western.

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