On 13 February, to mark World Radio Day, Fondation Hirondelle’s production studios opened their doors and aired special programmes around this year’s theme: “AI Is a Tool, Not a Voice.”
Artificial intelligence, which is evolving rapidly, raises many challenges and makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is true and what is false. Now an integral part of journalists’ daily work, it can facilitate certain tasks (translation, editing, research). However, AI remains above all an assistant, as two journalists from Studio Hirondelle Chad highlight in a report produced for World Radio Day. Public trust relies on the central role of journalists, and human verification of facts remains essential in the face of AI’s limitations and potential errors.
Studios open their doors
In Niger, Studio Kalangou welcomed journalism students to its new premises, giving them behind-the-scenes access to the production of news. The same took place in Burkina Faso, where IT students aged 5 to 19 had the opportunity to discover Studio Yafa from the inside. Read the article in french here.
A day to discuss AI: what changes for the media?
Studio Hirondelle Chad brought together two schools to debate the role of radio in the age of social media and artificial intelligence. In Mali, Studio Tamani dedicated a special morning programme to these issues, focusing on fact-checking and the use of AI in newsrooms.
To explore these themes, Radio Ndeke Luka devoted its Patara debate programme to changes in the media landscape and journalistic practices in the Central African Republic. The show also addressed journalists’ working conditions in the current context and the risks they face.
In Tunis, Fondation Hirondelle’s office took part in an event co-organised with Radio Dream FM in Kairouan. Ten journalists involved in the PACT project participated in discussions on AI, sustainable development and media responsibility, alongside professionals and IT students.
Closing a special anniversary week at Studio Kalangou
13 February also marked the end of a week celebrating Studio Kalangou’s 10th anniversary. On its flagship programme Tous à la Fada, the studio opened a debate on whether AI can help bring radio closer to younger audiences. Journalism students were invited to discuss the meeting point between AI and radio, and how media professions are being reshaped.
Through debates, open days and special programmes, Fondation Hirondelle’s studios and journalists reaffirmed that, in the face of technological change, radio remains above all a human voice serving reliable and verified information.