Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Forty journalists from the North-central, South-east and South-south geopolitical zones have resolved to strengthen ethical and child-sensitive reporting to protect children from further harm, stigma, discrimination and exploitation.
The journalists, drawn from the print, broadcast and online media, made the commitment at a two-day national workshop on the ethical reporting of children organised under the auspices of the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The workshop focused on the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities of journalists reporting issues involving children, with participants emphasising that the best interests of the child must remain central to every stage of news gathering, production and publication.
The training was facilitated by Susan Akila of UNICEF; Temitoye Falayi of CRIB; Dr. Geoffrey Njoku of Truevine Communications; Namsel Nimyel, former Executive Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Lanre Idowu of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME); and Dr. Jide Johnson of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ).
The workshop featured sessions on child rights and the role of the media, ethical principles in reporting children’s issues, balancing public interest with child protection, trauma-informed journalism, storytelling that protects and empowers, and the legal and institutional framework governing the reporting of children in Nigeria.
Participants also undertook group exercises and case studies designed to strengthen their practical understanding of child-sensitive journalism.
In their resolutions, the journalists urged media professionals to report allegations accurately and avoid presenting accusations as established facts. They advised journalists to use terms such as “alleged” and “accused” until guilt is established by a competent court.
They further called for an end to sensational, graphic or unnecessary details that could expose children to additional trauma or stigma, particularly in reports involving sexual abuse and other forms of violence.
According to the communiqué, journalists should prioritise children’s protection, medical care, psychological well-being and access to justice, while avoiding interviews or approaches that could cause further trauma or re-traumatisation.
The journalists also urged reporters to seek information from relevant authorities, including the police and recognised child-protection agencies, and to disclose personal relationships or conflicts of interest to editors.
They stressed that media coverage should focus on child protection, institutional response and accountability rather than unnecessary details of alleged abuse.
The participants called on media organisations to establish dedicated Child Rights Desks in their newsrooms to promote sustained and specialised coverage of children’s rights.
They also recommended stronger and sustained partnerships between UNICEF and the Guild of Editors, saying such collaboration would improve newsroom capacity to consistently and responsibly report issues affecting children.
The workshop urged UNICEF to expand its engagement to media owners, publishers and senior management, including the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and the National Broadcasting Organisations, to institutionalise child-sensitive reporting policies across newsrooms.
Participants further recommended regular training for journalists, editors and other media professionals on child rights, trauma-informed journalism, digital safety, privacy and relevant Nigerian laws.
Expressing appreciation to UNICEF for funding the training, the journalists said continued capacity building would strengthen responsible coverage of children’s issues and contribute to the protection and promotion of their rights.
They also commended the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and CRIB for supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening ethical reporting.