UCAP Urges Ethical AI in African Media

Published Date : 21/08/2025 

The African Catholic Union of the Press (UCAP) has concluded its triennial Continental Congress in Accra, Ghana, with a strong call for ethical guidelines in the use of artificial intelligence in African media. 

Accra (Agenzia Fides) – “We must establish ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in the African media, avoiding any form of manipulation and disinformation,” said the African Catholic Union of the Press (UCAP) at the conclusion of its triennial Continental Congress, held from August 10 to 17 in Accra, Ghana.

Under the theme “Balancing Technological Progress and Preserving Human Values in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” more than 100 Catholic journalists, lecturers, content creators, and other media representatives from over 20 countries, including 19 African countries, participated.

In the final declaration, the Catholic press emphasizes that the association “affirms the primacy of human dignity over technological advancement and commits Catholic journalists in Africa to promoting media practices that support truth, integrity, and authentic human relationships.”

For this reason, UCAP calls on “African media institutions” to establish ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in journalism to ensure that technology serves humanity and the common good, rejecting all forms of manipulation, inaccuracy, and disinformation.

African governments are urged to regulate the use of artificial intelligence to prevent the distortion of the truth, manipulation, and invasion of privacy, and to invest in digital infrastructures that promote innovation. Furthermore, a legal framework that protects human dignity should be created.

Furthermore, media professionals are encouraged to adopt editorial guidelines that ensure that AI tools do not replace human judgment, conscience, or sense of responsibility, by establishing fact-checking mechanisms and promoting transparency in the use of AI-generated content.

The African Catholic Union of the Press commits to collaborating with bishops' conferences, universities, policymakers, and civil society actors to improve the professional training of media professionals in Africa through instruction in artificial intelligence, digital literacy, and the Church's social teaching. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main concern of the African Catholic Union of the Press (UCAP)?

A: The main concern of UCAP is to establish ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in African media to avoid manipulation and disinformation.

Q: What was the theme of the triennial Continental Congress held in Accra, Ghana?

A: The theme of the triennial Continental Congress was 'Balancing Technological Progress and Preserving Human Values in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.'

Q: How many participants attended the UCAP Congress?

A: More than 100 Catholic journalists, lecturers, content creators, and other media representatives from over 20 countries, including 19 African countries, participated in the Congress.

Q: What does UCAP call for in terms of AI use in journalism?

A: UCAP calls for African media institutions to establish ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in journalism, ensuring that technology serves humanity and the common good, and rejecting manipulation and inaccuracy.

Q: What role do African governments play in regulating AI according to UCAP?

A: African governments are urged to regulate the use of artificial intelligence to prevent the distortion of the truth, manipulation, and invasion of privacy, and to invest in digital infrastructures that promote innovation. 

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