The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information has urged journalists to be ethical in their reportage, and more sensitive in reporting on vulnerable persons, especially the children.
This call was made yesterday, in Port Harcourt, during a 2-day workshop for media practitioners on ‘Ethical Journalism and Child’s Rights Reporting’, organised by UNICEF in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
In his keynote address, Chief of the UNICEF Port Harcourt Field Office, Dr Anslem Audu noted the critical role journalists play in shaping public perception and influencing the well-being of children in Nigeria.
Dr Audu stating that the media has the power to amplify the voices of children, highlight their struggles, and bring attention to issues that affect their well-being, stressed that a journalist report on children, and their stories can have a lasting impact on their lives.
Speaking on the theme “Why Ethical Reporting of Children Matters in Nigeria”, the UNICEF Chief, said in a nation or society with diverse ethnicities, religions, and perspectives, the media is the glue that can hold people together or the wedge that can drive them apart.
According to him “Children are not miniature adults. They are vulnerable, their minds are impressionable, and their futures are shaped by how we represent them. Ethical reporting means protecting their identity.
It means never publishing a child’s name or image in a way that would stigmatize them, expose them to retaliation, or re-traumatize them especially children affected by violence, conflict, or abuse.
It means giving them a voice, not speaking for them.”
Speaking on promoting child-centered reporting, Audu encouraged journalists to prioritise children’s perspectives and experiences and foster a culture of ethical reporting that prioritises their well-being.
He further urged the media practitioners to “Ensure that your reporting does not harm or exploit children. Seek out diverse perspectives: Include children’s voices and experiences in your reporting. Report with empathy and accuracy: Balance your reporting with sensitivity and fact-based information”.
To the participants, he said “I urge you to see it not as a critique, but as an empowerment to be a stickler for fact-checking. In the race to break news, let accuracy be your compass. Let the best interests of the child be a non-negotiable principle”, adding that ethical reporting on children is not just a moral imperative; but a professional obligation.
In his remarks, an Assistant Director with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Abuja, Falayi Temitoye, said the workshop brought together journalists, media practitioners, and advocates who play a vital role in shaping public understanding, influencing attitudes, and protecting the most vulnerable members of the society.
Temitoye also noting that the media holds immense power to inform, to inspire, and to hold institutions accountable, stressed that with such power comes a profound responsibility to report with integrity, sensitivity, and respect for human dignity.
“When it comes to stories involving children, that responsibility becomes even greater. Every image, every word, and every frame we publish can have lasting consequences on a child’s life, safety, and future.”
He disclosed that the training is designed to help the participants reflect on their ethical obligations as journalists, explore best practices for reporting on children’s issues, and strengthen understanding of child rights as enshrined in national laws and international conventions.
He said “Through open discussion, case studies, and shared experiences, we aim to build a media culture that protects children’s identities, amplifies their voices responsibly, and upholds the highest ethical standards.
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo, Bassey Inyang, David-Chyddy Eleke and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
