UNICEF, Federal Information Ministry Train Journalists on Ethical Reporting of Children’s Issues

UNICEF, Federal Information Ministry Train Journalists on Ethical Reporting of Children’s Issues

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has organised a training workshop to strengthen ethical reporting on issues affecting children.

The two-day workshop, which began on Monday in Gombe, brought together journalists from the North-Central and North-East regions. The programme aims to promote responsible and child-sensitive journalism.

Declaring the workshop open, the Assistant Director of the Child Rights Bureau at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr Toye Falayi, said the training seeks to improve child protection through responsible media reporting.

Falayi urged participants to actively engage during the sessions so the programme can achieve its objectives.

He also commended UNICEF for partnering with the ministry to promote journalism that protects the rights and welfare of children.

Speaking on “Privacy, Dignity and Protection of Identity”, one of the facilitators, Dr Geoffrey Njoku, advised journalists to avoid sensational reporting when covering stories involving children.

He stressed that reporters must always prioritise the safety and well-being of children in order to prevent situations that could expose them to trauma or harm.

Another facilitator, Dr. Jide Johnson, who presented a paper titled “Media as Protector or Violator,” reminded journalists that the media plays a critical role in safeguarding children through responsible reporting.

Johnson urged journalists to exercise caution when interviewing or reporting about children to ensure their dignity and reputation are protected.

Also speaking, veteran broadcaster Mr Nansel Nimyel highlighted the responsibilities of both print and broadcast media when covering child-related issues.

He warned journalists against revealing the identities or locations of children in their reports, noting that such actions could expose them to danger or social stigma.

Nimyel further urged media practitioners to maintain professionalism and ethical standards, stressing that careless reporting can have lasting negative consequences for children.