The Federal Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has called on the media and professionals in the country to join it in protecting the rights of children.
The FG, through the Federal Ministry of Information and Guidance, stated that journalists played a vital role in shaping public understanding, influencing attitudes and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly children; hence the collaboration with the media.
During a two-day training of media professionals on ethical journalism and reporting on children’s rights in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Guidance, Ogbodo Nnam, said the media’s expertise was in the area of ethical reporting on child protection.
Nnam, represented by the ministry’s Deputy Director/Head of the Child Rights Information Office, Temitoye Falayi, said the training was designed to help reflect on ethical obligations as journalists, “explore best practices in reporting on children’s issues and strengthen our understanding of children’s rights enshrined in national laws and international conventions.”
He said: “The media has immense power: the power to inform, inspire and hold institutions accountable.” But with that power comes a deep responsibility: to report with integrity, sensitivity and respect for human dignity.
“When it comes to stories involving children, that responsibility becomes even greater. Every image, every word and every frame we publish can have lasting consequences on a child’s life, safety and future.
“Through open discussions, case studies and shared experiences, we aim to build a media culture that protects children’s identities, amplifies their voices responsibly, and upholds the highest ethical standards.”
The Head of the UNICEF Lagos Office, Celine Lafoucriere, stated in her opening remarks that ethical reporting on children is crucial to prevent their rights from being violated in the name of attention-grabbing headlines.
“At UNICEF, we believe that all children have the right to be seen, heard and protected. Ethical reporting is not just a professional standard, but a moral imperative. It is about ensuring that children are portrayed with dignity, that their stories are told carefully, and that their rights are never compromised for the sake of making headlines or making money.
“Our expectation is clear: that you leave this training not only with new skills but with a renewed commitment to maintaining the highest standards of journalism, especially when it comes to children. We hope that you will become advocates for ethical journalism in your newsrooms and communities, setting an example for others to follow.”
Lafoucriere added: “By choosing to report ethically, you are helping to build a Nigeria where every child is valued, protected and has the opportunity to thrive.”
Speaking, the Acting Head of Communication, Advocacy and Partnerships at UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Sussan Akila, highlighted the importance of responsible storytelling and the need for journalists to remain trusted voices for children.
“Children are often called the leaders of tomorrow, but can they represent themselves? No. That’s why we need to make sure that when we speak for them, we do it right. When we don’t report responsibly, we can do more harm than good. Ethical reporting protects their rights, ensures justice when they are violated, and keeps them safe in the process,” she said.
Akila warned journalists to avoid revealing the identities of minors in sensitive cases and to resist editorial pressures that could lead to unethical practices, adding: “We must report stories that are reliable, balanced and uphold the dignity of children,” he said.
Also speaking, UNICEF Child Rights Specialist Jide Johnson noted that children remain the most vulnerable to poverty and abuse, adding that ethical reporting plays a key role in addressing issues such as early marriage, trafficking, sexual abuse and female genital mutilation.
Similarly, Geoffrey Njoku, UNICEF communications consultant, traced the evolution of children’s rights from international declarations to Nigeria’s incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) as the Child Rights Act (CRA) in 2003.
“Do not harm any child; avoid questions, attitudes or comments that are critical or insensitive to cultural values, that put a child in danger or expose him or her to humiliation or further trauma,” he advised. “Do not discriminate in choosing children to interview based on sex, race, age, religion or physical ability,” he said.
For her part, UNICEF Communications Officer Blessing Ejiofor said journalists, as human rights defenders, have a responsibility to use their platforms to promote positive changes for children and families across Nigeria.
“As human rights defenders, we all have a duty to prioritize and promote changes that improve the lives of children and their families through our channels and networks,” he said.
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