By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Journalists from the North Central, South East and South-South geopolitical zones have resolved to strengthen ethical and child-sensitive journalism to protect children from further harm, stigma, discrimination and exploitation.

The Journalists drawn from print, broadcast and online media organisations, made the resolution at the end of a two-day national workshop on Ethical Reporting of Children held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under the auspices of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) in the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

The workshop which had 40 media practitioners in attendance focused on the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities of journalists covering issues affecting children and featured technical sessions on child rights, ethical principles, trauma-informed journalism, storytelling, legal frameworks and the responsibilities of print and electronic media.

The participants resolved that journalists must uphold the dignity, privacy, safety and best interests of every child throughout the processes of news gathering, production and publication.

They also urged journalists to report allegations involving children accurately and responsibly, stressing that alleged offenders should not be presented as guilty until convicted by a competent court.

The journalists further cautioned against publishing graphic, sensational or unnecessary details that could expose children to additional trauma, stigma or exploitation.

According to the communiqué issued at the end of the workshop, journalists should “give priority to the child’s protection, medical care, psychological well-being and access to justice,” while avoiding interviews or approaches that could cause further trauma or re-traumatisation.

They also called on journalists to seek relevant information from appropriate authorities, including the police and recognised child-protection agencies, when reporting cases involving children.

The participants stressed that media reports should focus public attention on child protection, institutional responses and accountability rather than unnecessary details of alleged sexual abuse or other forms of violence against children.

They said, “The best interests of the child must remain central to every report,” adding that responsible journalism must inform the public without exposing children to further harm, stigma, discrimination or exploitation.

The workshop also called on media organisations to establish dedicated Child Rights Desks within their newsrooms to ensure sustained attention to issues affecting children and promote specialised reporting on children’s rights.

The journalists urged responsible bloggers and online journalism platforms to provide additional avenues for highlighting child-rights issues while maintaining the same ethical, legal and professional standards expected of mainstream media.

They recommended that UNICEF strengthen and sustain its strategic partnership with the Guild of Editors to improve the capacity of newsrooms to consistently and responsibly report issues affecting children.

The participants also called for the involvement of media owners, publishers and senior management, including members of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, NPAN, and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria,  BON, in UNICEF’s training programmes.

According to them, such engagement would help institutionalise child-sensitive reporting policies and practices across newsrooms.

They further recommended continuous training and capacity-building programmes for journalists, editors and other media professionals on child rights, trauma-informed journalism, digital safety, privacy and the legal framework governing the reporting of children in Nigeria.

The workshop was facilitated by Susan Akila of UNICEF, Temitoye Falayi of CRIB, Dr Geoffrey Njoku of Truevine Communications, Namsel Nimyel, former Executive Director of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Lanre Idowu of DAME and Dr Jide Johnson of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

Participants expressed appreciation to UNICEF for funding and sponsoring the training, describing the initiative as an important step towards strengthening responsible media coverage of children’s issues.

They also commended the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Child Rights Information Bureau for supporting initiatives aimed at promoting ethical and responsible reporting of children.

The journalists reaffirmed their commitment to journalism that amplifies children’s voices and draws attention to violations of their rights without turning news coverage into another source of harm.

They said the media has a critical role to play in protecting and promoting children’s rights, urging journalists and media organisations to ensure that every report involving children informs, protects and empowers rather than exposes vulnerable children to further danger.