In a declaration issued on Sunday in Nouakchott and named the “Nouakchott Declaration”, the Mauritanian Journalists’ Union and the National Union of the Moroccan Press called for the preparation and adoption of a joint ethical charter to regulate the use of artificial intelligence tools and protect the freedom of personal data.
The declaration calls for a joint union observatory to monitor the impact of artificial intelligence on the profession and provide appropriate recommendations.
It stresses the need to recognise the value of journalists and their place within the new media ecosystem.
It emphasises the importance of building partnerships with universities and research centres to strengthen journalists’ knowledge.
The Nouakchott Declaration is the first joint media warning by two unions in the Maghreb region, recognising the danger of this newcomer that imposes itself without consulting anyone. At the same time, it calls for an ethical charter to protect journalism from the risks of artificial intelligence and pave the way to benefiting from its advantages.
Text of the declaration:
Joint press declaration
Mauritanian Journalists’ Union
National Union of the Moroccan Press
Nouakchott – Rabat
As part of strengthening media and union cooperation between Morocco and Mauritania, and in response to the rapidly growing challenges that the development of artificial intelligence poses for journalism, the Mauritanian Journalists’ Union and the National Union of the Moroccan Press organised a joint academic seminar on the theme:
> “Artificial intelligence: benefits and risks”
The meeting provided an important opportunity for collective reflection and in-depth discussion of artificial intelligence’s effects on journalism from professional, ethical and development perspectives, amid rapid global developments in digital technology.
Main conclusions of the meeting:
The growing influence of artificial intelligence on media structures and methods requires genuine professional adaptation.
The digital divide between countries of the North and South requires international support and solidarity among countries of the South.
There is a lack of clear legislation governing the use of artificial intelligence in the media.
Major risks are emerging from the fabrication of news, images and videos, including deepfakes.
There is a need to rethink journalists’ role and standing within the new media ecosystem.
Joint recommendations:
1. Launch a joint artificial intelligence training programme for young journalists in both countries.
2. Establish a joint union observatory to monitor the impact of artificial intelligence on the profession and provide appropriate recommendations.
3. Organise an annual Maghreb–African conference on artificial intelligence and journalistic ethics.
4. Build partnerships with universities and research centres to strengthen journalists’ scientific knowledge.
5. Undertake joint advocacy with regional and international bodies to safeguard journalists’ rights in an artificial intelligence environment.
6. Draft a joint ethical charter governing the use of artificial intelligence tools in journalism and protecting freedom of expression and personal data.
Both unions welcome the spirit of solidarity and responsibility that characterised the seminar and affirm their determination to turn these recommendations into practical programmes serving journalism and strengthening South–South cooperation in the age of artificial intelligence.
Issued in Nouakchott:
28/062025
For the Mauritanian Journalists’ Union
and the National Union of the Moroccan Press