Nigerian Media Framing of AI Ethics and Public Trust: A Content Analysis of News Coverage on Artificial Intelligence Development

Abstract

Background: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly developing globally, offering significant opportunities but also presenting complex ethical challenges concerning data privacy, bias, and job security. The public's adoption and trust in this technology are heavily mediated by news coverage.

Objective: This study examined the newspaper framing of Artificial Intelligence ethics and development in Nigeria and its influence on public trust.

Methodology: A mixed-methods approach utilising both content analysis of newspaper articles and a survey of the public was employed. The code sheet and questionnaire served as the instruments for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics (including Chi-square analysis) were used in the data analysis, with results presented in tables.

Results: The results showed that dominant frames like opportunity, risk, and regulation manifest in Nigerian media reports concerning AI development. It was also found that the type of AI issue involved (e.g., data privacy vs. economic potential) significantly determined the frames used. The result showed that newspaper framing significantly influences public perception and trust in Artificial Intelligence.

Conclusion: Frames such as opportunity, risk, and regulation are central to Nigerian media reports on AI ethics. The framing strategy is significantly dependent on the specific AI issue being reported. Furthermore, media framing has a profound impact on the Nigerian public's trust in AI.