JOURNALISTIC METAMORPHOSIS: ROBOT JOURNALISM ADOPTION IN NIGERIA IN A DIGITAL AGE

Abstract

The headways in Artificial Intelligence have impacted on every aspect of society especially communications which is a vital part of any civilisation. AI revolution in multimedia applications have now become a means of guaranteeing stress reduction, speed, performance and in the face of a pandemic such as the Covid-19 a safe avenue for journalists. But sadly as a result of the issues faced by developing countries such as Nigeria, journalists are not current with innovations that will lessen the load of seemingly routine duties in the newsroom and collaborate with new technologies in order to stay relevant. In light of this, the purpose of this research was to examine journalists’ perception on how robot journalism can (or has) transformed journalism. Hinged on the mediamorphosis theory, the study utilised quantitative survey as 389 former and current media practitioners were chosen through a purposive sampling technique. The research discovered that most Nigerian journalists though familiar with the concept of robot journalism believe Nigerians are not adequately prepared for its adoption. It was established that automation is the way of the future, and Nigerian journalists cannot afford to be consigned to oblivion in the final shift to an automated world, so they must be acquainted to embrace robot journalism. This study recommends that while media practitioners try to grapple with the reality of automated journalism and with concerns on the uncertainties such as pandemics, practitioners need to keep up with technology as supportive techs in their jobs in light of the Covid-19 protocols, around social distancing, ban on travels to ensure they stay on top of major happening without becoming victims.