UNICEF, Federal Government Task Journalists On Child Rights Reporting

By Najib Sani, Gombe

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has emphasised the importance of responsible reporting on child rights issues, urging journalists to prioritise the welfare of children in their coverage.

The call was made during a two-day training of media practitioners on ethical journalism and child rights reporting, organised by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in partnership with UNICEF, held in Gombe State.

The training, which brought together 232 journalists from print, broadcast, and online media organisations across the nation, aimed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to report on child rights issues in a responsible and ethical manner.

Representative of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr Falayi Timoteye, said the training aimed to help journalists identify and mitigate risks associated with reporting on children, ensuring their safety, privacy and dignity are protected; apply best practices in interviewing children, handling sensitive information, and protecting sources; recognise and report on critical child rights issues, such as child abuse, exploitation, education, health, and the impact of conflict, in a responsible and impactful manner.

He added that the participants were also trained to utilise compelling storytelling techniques to advocate for children’s rights without sensationalism or harm; and understand the unique challenges faced by children in different regions and contexts within Nigeria.

Facilitator at the training, Nansel Nimyel, a former Executive Director of Training at the National Television Authority (NTA), stressed the importance of the training, noting that Nigerian children and adolescents make up half of the country’s population and deserve accurate and sensitive coverage.

“The media needs to give them good coverage in news on a daily basis.

“The way journalists report can lead to a child being an outcast even in their immediate environment,” Nimyel warned.

UNICEF representative, Sussan Akila, highlighted the importance of prioritising the best interest of the child as a guiding principle in reporting children issues.

She tasked journalists to commit to reporting issues affecting children with high standards, upholding their rights, treating them with dignity and respect, and abiding by the humanitarian principle of “Do No Harm”.

Akila also advocated for the implementation of inclusive national policies on Child Survival, Development, Protection, and Participation (CSDPP).