The media have been reminded of the importance of ethical reportage of child abuse and other issues relating to minors.
This was the crux of a parley between media practitioners and some Civil Society Organisations, in Lagos.
The event convened by non-government organisation, Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, in collaboration with the Street Project Foundation,was a high-level consultative forum aimed at addressing exploitation of Child Domestic workers.
Discussions at the forum underscored the critical role of the media in shaping public narrativesand influencing social change. Participants emphasized the importance of accurate, sensitive,and child-centered reporting that prioritizes the dignity, safety, and rights of vulnerable children.
Key issues highlighted during the engagement included ethical storytelling practices,safeguarding children’s identities, the need for specialized reporting on child protection, and theimportance of stronger partnerships between media organizations and civil society actors.
Stakeholders also stressed that while raising awareness is essential, reporting must avoidsensationalism and prevent the re-traumatization of survivors.
NGOs’ Programs Manager, Damilola Adenusi, emphasized theurgency of shifting narratives and strengthening protections for vulnerable children.
“We arechanging the narrative, one step at a time.
Every exploited child domestic worker should beprotected, and every child deserves to live a dignified life.” he said.
A major outcome of the forum is the development of a comprehensive guideline document tosupport responsible and ethical media coverage of child domestic work.
This resource isexpected to serve as a practical tool for journalists and media practitioners reporting on childprotection issues across Nigeria.
The engagement reinforced a shared commitment among stakeholders to improve storytellingstandards, build capacity within the media ecosystem, and sustain cross-sector collaboration inadvancing child protection.
It forms part of a broader effort to combat modern slavery and safeguardthe rights and wellbeing of children across Nigeria.
Media professionals, civil society organizations, and relevant stakeholders are encouraged toadopt ethical reporting standards and engage with emerging guidelines to ensure responsible storytelling on child protection issues.
The forum brought together media professionals, civil society actors, and governmentstakeholders to strengthen collaboration and promote ethical, strategic reporting on childprotection issues, with a particular focus on the often underreported realities of child domesticwork in Nigeria.
Written by Olusegun Haastrup