By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has called on Nigeria Catholic journalists to safeguard the “human touch” in their reportage and reject overreliance on artificial intelligence.
Delivering a homily during the opening Mass of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN) annual conference at the Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the archbishop represented by the auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, stressed that though AI excels and does most human jobs, but still lacks the “heart, empathy, and divine spark” that are needed in a conscience driven reportage that connect deeply.
He called on Journalists to react to actions and situations with faith built on professional ethics and values in order to solve problems instead of adding more.
The three-day event, coinciding with the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of Mary, drew participants from Catholic Dioceses across Nigeria with the theme: “The Media and Violence Reporting in Nigeria: Preserving the Human Element in a Technology-Driven Communication Ecosystem.
Bishop Chikwe urged journalists to mirror Joseph’s courage and creativity amid Nigeria’s challenges, noting that in face of several challenges, Joseph did not react with disappointment and rebellious, but instead accept with obedience and preserved the dignity of Mary.
“Be conscious and truthful in your reportage,” he said. As apostles of the pen, AI must not erode skills in human development.”
The conference which had the Commissioner for Information of Imo State in attendance also features paper presentations on ‘The Media and Violence Reporting in Nigeria: Preserving the Human Element in a Technology-Driven Communication Ecosystem, Investigative Reporting In High Risk Environment: Preserving Humanity In the Midst Of Violence and Managing Conflicts and Trauma Reporting: A catholic Perspective On Ethical Compassionate and Hope Filled Journalism. Participants expressed optimism in what they have learnt at the conference.
The Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria CAMPAN is an umbrella body for all Catholic media workers and Journalists in all Catholic Diocese in Nigeria.