By Friday Idachaba, Port Harcourt
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigerian journalists to protect the safety, dignity, privacy and rights of children in their reports.
UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Enugu Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, gave the advice at a two-day workshop on ethical reporting of children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Chiluwe warned that sensational headlines, inappropriate pictures and careless disclosure of children’s identities could expose them to stigma, discrimination and further trauma.
She said journalists had great influence through the stories they publish, the headlines they write and the voices they amplify.
According to her, the media has a greater responsibility when reporting children because they are entitled to dignity, protection and other rights.
She said responsible journalism could expose abuses against children, influence government policies, mobilise communities and draw attention to neglected areas.
However, she warned that careless reporting could put vulnerable children at greater risk.
Chiluwe urged journalists to consider whether a story is in the best interest of the child before publishing it.
She also warned that digital journalism had increased the risks involved in reporting children, as names, pictures and videos published online could be copied and shared widely.
The UNICEF official called for extra caution when reporting children affected by violence, abuse, conflict, displacement, exploitation and legal cases.
She said journalists should pay close attention to consent, privacy, identity and digital safety when covering such cases.
Chiluwe described journalists as important partners in promoting child rights and urged them to use their platforms to highlight issues affecting children and promote access to education, healthcare and protection.
She challenged participants to become stronger advocates for ethical reporting and ensure that protecting children remains central to their professional work.
