Media experts urge journalists to promote child-friendly reporting
Media experts urge journalists to promote child-friendly reporting
Media experts have cautioned journalists against unethical and conflict-sensitive reporting that could cause harm to children.
They stated this at a two-day training for journalists on Ethical Journalism and Child Reporting on Monday in Ibadan.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that the workshop was in collaboration with the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The workshop had in attendance journalists from Southwest, Edo, and Delta.
Dr Lekan Sote, a seasoned journalist and media consultant, noted that news reporting involving children must be done in a way that minimises harm to them.
He stressed that reporting on conflicts involving children requires a careful approach to prevent escalation and avoid re-traumatisation.
“It is essential to balance the right of the public to know and the potential impact of the story on the minor.
“To interview a minor, journalists must always obtain the consent of a guardian, while the child must understand the issues and be willing to talk, without coercion or deception,” he said.
Dr Jide Johnson, Director of Special Programmes at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) noted that children are still being used in armed conflicts, religious and communal clashes, and other criminal activities despite media interventions.
Johnson, one of the facilitators at the training, noted that media practitioners have a duty to inform and educate the public about issues affecting children and foster the development of values and attitudes that promote child development.
“As media practitioners, we must facilitate the development of values and attitudes that promote child rights,” he said.
“We have a duty to sensitise and mobilise community members to take action on issues affecting children,” he said.
He called on governments and community stakeholders to rally support and resources for advocacy, promotion, and institutionalisation of children’s rights and development.
Similarly, Prof. Charles Obot, Head of the Department of Film and Multimedia Studies, University of Uyo, while speaking on newsroom guidelines drafting, called for regular training for journalists on ethical reporting on children.
According to Obot, the training should include trauma-informed techniques and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
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He noted that newsroom guidelines should encourage a regular internal review process for stories involving children, focusing on potential risks and adherence to guidelines.
“Newsroom guidelines must also recognise the emotional toll of covering sensitive child-related stories and provide support for reporters,” he said.
Blessing Ejiofor, UNICEF Communication Officer, Lagos Field Office, added that journalists have the responsibility to prioritise and promote the integrity of children in their reportage.
Ejiofor, who described journalists as champions of human rights, said they should ensure that children are portrayed with honour and their reports reflect compassion.
She also appealed to journalists to avoid sensationalism in their reports and ensure that the voices of children are heard in a dignified manner.
