The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on journalists to embrace ethical and fact-based reporting on issues affecting children to safeguard their rights as enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
The call was made by Dr. Anselm Audu, Chief Field Officer for UNICEF’s Port Harcourt Field Office, during a two-day regional workshop in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Organised in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information, the workshop brought together media professionals from the South-South, South-East, and North-Central regions to strengthen their capacity for rights-based child reporting and to promote ethical practices in covering children affected by insecurity and violence.
Dr. Audu described ethical child-focused journalism as “a vital service to democracy and the community,” stressing that journalists must prioritise children’s best interests above sensationalism.
He emphasised that ethical reporting protects the vulnerable, builds public trust, and strengthens social cohesion.
“Children require special protection in the media because of their vulnerability,” Audu said.
“Ethical journalism means safeguarding their identities, avoiding stigma, and ensuring their stories are told with dignity and consent. A sensational headline might sell, but an ethical story protects a child’s right to a future free from harm.”
He cautioned against publishing names or images of children affected by violence, abuse, or conflict, warning that such exposure could lead to trauma and stigmatization.
He also urged journalists to support efforts to enforce child protection laws and avoid spreading harmful online content, noting that violators may face prosecution.
Audu further encouraged journalists to go beyond event-based coverage and pursue investigative reports that amplify children’s voices and evaluate humanitarian interventions.
“The quality of your reports shapes national conversations about children. Your pen can either protect or expose them,” he stated.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, the Head of the Child Rights Information Bureau, Mr. Toye Falayi, commended participants for their commitment to ethical storytelling.
He urged them to combine compelling narratives with integrity, adding that media practitioners play a vital role in safeguarding children’s rights and influencing policies that affect their well-being.