UNICEF, FG train journalists on ethical reporting, child rights
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, on Wednesday commenced a two-day media training on ethical journalism and child rights reporting for journalists drawn from the South-East, South-South, and North-Central regions of Nigeria.
The training, funded by UNICEF, is aimed at strengthening the capacity of media practitioners to report children’s issues with sensitivity, fairness, and respect for human dignity. It also seeks to promote responsible storytelling that safeguards the identities and rights of children.
Read also: Two-thirds of Nigeria children live in multidimensional poverty UNICEF
Falayi Temitoye, Assistant Director and Head of the Child Rights Information Bureau, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Chinasa Ogbodo, stressed the importance of ethical journalism in shaping public attitudes toward children.
“It is a real pleasure to welcome you all to this important training on ethical and child rights reporting,” Temitoye said. “The media holds immense power the power to inform, inspire, and hold institutions accountable. But with that power comes the responsibility to report with integrity, sensitivity, and respect for human dignity.”
She urged journalists to exercise caution when reporting on children, noting that “every image, every word, and every frame we publish can have lasting consequences on a child’s life, safety, and future.” Temitoye commended UNICEF for its continued partnership with the ministry and encouraged participants to make the most of the training sessions.
Anselm Audu, UNICEF’s Chief Field Officer in Port Harcourt, in his keynote address, highlighted the crucial role of ethical journalism in protecting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
“The media has the power to amplify the voices of children and draw attention to the issues affecting their well-being,” Audu said. “But that same power must be used responsibly.”
He added that ethical journalism fosters trust, prevents harm, and promotes peace. “Ethical reporting is the antidote to misinformation and hate speech,” he noted. “It helps to calm tempers, promote dialogue, and build peace, especially during times of social tension.”
Susan Akila, UNICEF Nigeria’s Communications Specialist and Acting Chief of Communication, Advocacy, and Partnership, reaffirmed the agency’s strong collaboration with the media.
Read also: UNICEF, Adamawa LG partner to boost immunisation, hygiene awareness
“We do not take our media partners for granted because you are the foot soldiers,” she said. “Children do not have a voice, and journalists are in the best position to speak for them responsibly.”
The two-day workshop features interactive discussions, case studies, and practical sessions designed to deepen journalists’ understanding of ethical standards in reporting on children and to strengthen their commitment to child-sensitive journalism across media platforms.
