The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has called on journalists to uphold ethical standards and show greater sensitivity when reporting on vulnerable groups, especially children.
The appeal was made in Port Harcourt during a two-day workshop on “Ethical Journalism and Child’s Rights Reporting”, organized by UNICEF in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information.
Chief of the UNICEF Port Harcourt Field Office, Dr. Anslem Audu, emphasized the media’s powerful role in shaping public perception and influencing the well-being of children in Nigeria. He noted that journalists have the capacity to amplify children’s voices, highlight their challenges, and draw attention to issues affecting their welfare.
“Children are not miniature adults. They are vulnerable and impressionable. Ethical reporting means protecting their identity and ensuring they are not stigmatized or exposed to further harm,” Dr. Audu stated. “It means giving them a voice not speaking for them.”
He urged journalists to prioritize children’s perspectives, ensure accuracy, and avoid sensationalism, stressing that ethical reporting on children is both a moral duty and a professional obligation. “In the race to break news, let accuracy be your compass. Let the best interests of the child be a non-negotiable principle,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Falayi Temitoye, Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Abuja, said the workshop aimed to strengthen journalists’ understanding of child rights and promote responsible storytelling.
Temitoye noted that the media wields immense influence in shaping public attitudes and holding institutions accountable but must wield that power responsibly. “Every image, every word, and every frame we publish can have lasting consequences on a child’s life, safety, and future,” he cautioned.
He explained that the training included discussions, case studies, and shared experiences designed to build a media culture that protects children’s identities, amplifies their voices responsibly, and upholds the highest ethical standards.
