FG, UNICEF caution media against publishing harmful reports
FG, UNICEF caution media against publishing harmful reports
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information, has launched a two-day regional workshop in Kano aimed at training journalists on ethical standards and best practices for reporting stories involving children.
The workshop, which kicked off on Monday at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, brought together participants from Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Delivering the keynote address, the Head of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Muhammad, emphasized that ethical reporting on children is “an essential service to democracy and society.” He urged journalists to prioritize the welfare of children over sensational headlines.
“Responsible journalism fosters trust, safeguards the vulnerable, and promotes social cohesion,” Muhammad noted.
“A sensational headline about a child might sell newspapers, but an ethical story protects the child’s right to a future free from shame and harm.”
He warned against publishing names, photographs, or other identifying details of children affected by violence, conflict, or abuse, noting that such reporting could re-traumatise victims, stigmatise families, and inflict long-lasting damage.
The UNICEF official highlighted three core reasons for ethical child reporting which includes to build trust and reduce social division in a diverse country like Nigeria, protect the dignity and safety of vulnerable children and enhance journalistic credibility in an era of misinformation and social media chaos.
Muhammad therefore called on journalists to support ongoing initiatives to uphold laws that protect children’s rights, cautioning that anyone who shares harmful content about children online risks facing prosecution.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Toye Falayi, Head of the Child Rights International Bureau at the Federal Ministry of Information, urged participants to strike a balance between impactful storytelling and strict adherence to journalistic ethics.
“As journalists, you play a vital role in safeguarding children’s rights and shaping decisions that affect them,” Falayi stated. “This training provides an avenue to strengthen knowledge of child protection laws, ethical standards, and the unique vulnerabilities of children in Nigeria.”
He also commended the partnership between media practitioners and child rights advocates across the country, noting that although significant progress has been achieved in highlighting children’s issues, “far more still needs to be done to ensure every Nigerian child grows up in a safe and dignified environment.”
The two-day workshop, which runs until Tuesday, features sessions on practical case studies, relevant legal frameworks, and professional standards to guide ethical reporting on children within Nigeria’s diverse security and cultural context.
