Media organisations and practitioners across the country have been told to work collaboratively in promoting and protecting the rights of children.
The appeal was made during a two-day training on ethical journalism and child rights reporting held on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State. The training was organised through the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ogbodo Nnam, represented by the Assistant Director and Head of the Child Rights Information Bureau, Temitoye Falayi, said journalists play a crucial role in shaping public perception and safeguarding vulnerable groups, particularly children.
Nnam noted that the government’s expectation is for the media to give priority to ethical reporting on child protection issues. He said the training was intended to reinforce journalists’ understanding of their ethical responsibilities, expose them to best practices in reporting children’s matters, and deepen their knowledge of child rights as provided for in national laws and international conventions.
Also, UNICEF Chief of Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, harped on the importance of responsible reporting to ensure that children’s dignity and safety are not undermined.
She stated that while telling compelling stories is essential, it must not come at the expense of a child’s well-being or privacy.
“Ethical reporting is not just a professional standard; it is a moral imperative,” Lafoucriere said. “It is about ensuring that children are portrayed with dignity, that their stories are told with care, and that their rights are never compromised in the pursuit of headlines or money-making.”
She urged journalists to apply the knowledge gained from the training and serve as advocates for ethical reporting within their media organisations and communities.
Lafoucriere added that how children are reported today contributes to shaping the future of society, stressing that upholding ethics means choosing protection, dignity, and a better future for Nigeria’s children.
