By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has trained journalists on ethical reporting and child rights protection.

The two-day capacity-building workshop, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, brought together media practitioners from the South-South, South-East, and North-Central regions to deepen their understanding of the legal and ethical frameworks guiding child-focused reporting in Nigeria.

UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, represented by UNICEF Communication Specialist Susan Akila, said the training reflects UNICEF’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the media. She stressed that journalists play a crucial role in giving a voice to children, who often cannot speak for themselves.

“We do not play with our media partnership,” Saeed said. “We believe the media are the foot soldiers — important not just to UNICEF, but to the children of Nigeria. This training ensures journalists do not report children in harm’s way and that perpetrators of injustice do not go unreported or unpunished.”

She encouraged participants to use the training to sharpen their skills in covering child-related issues responsibly.

In his keynote address, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Port Harcourt, Dr. Anselem Audu, underscored the influence journalists wield in shaping public perception and safeguarding children’s well-being.

He noted that ethical reporting is vital in a diverse society like Nigeria, where the media can either unite people or deepen divisions.

“The way we report on children can have a lasting impact on their lives,” he said. “Ethical journalism — marked by accuracy, fairness, and balance — protects vulnerable children by preserving their identities, prioritising their best interests, and ensuring a future free from shame and harm.”

Audu urged reporters to seek diverse perspectives, include children’s voices, report with empathy, and rely on verified facts.

Temitoye Falayi, Assistant Director and Head of CRIB at the Ministry of Information, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa, said the training was designed to help journalists reassess their ethical obligations, adopt best practices, and strengthen their understanding of child rights as outlined in national laws and international conventions.

“Through open discussions, case studies, and shared experiences, we aim to build a media culture that protects children’s identities and amplifies their voices responsibly,” he said.

Resource persons at the training included Dr. Geoffrey Njoku, who gave an overview of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ethical principles in child reporting; Dr. Jide Johnson, who spoke on the foundation of child rights; Lekan Sote, who addressed balancing public interest with child protection; and Prof. Charles Obot, who guided participants on drafting newsroom policies for reporting on children.