The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged journalists in the country to embrace ethical reportage on child rights.
UNICEF Chief of Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, stated this in her keynote address at a two-day training for journalists on Ethical Journalism and Child Reporting on Monday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) 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 states and Edo.
Lafoucriere said ethical reporting was not just a professional standard, but a moral imperative.
“Ethical reporting is about ensuring that children are portrayed with dignity, and their stories are told with care.
“Their rights are never compromised in the pursuit of headlines or financial gain. At UNICEF, we believe that every child has the right to be seen, heard, and protected”, she said.
She emphasised that ethical reporting was crucial to UNICEF because it protected the most vulnerable, adding that children were not miniature adults.
“They are still developing emotionally, mentally, and socially.
“When we report on children, especially those affected by violence, conflict, or abuse, we must do so with utmost sensitivity”, she said.
According to her, ethical reporting means protecting their identities, avoiding sensationalism, and ensuring that their voices are heard in a safe and respectful manner.
Lafoucriere also stated that ethical journalism builds trust in a world where misinformation spreads rapidly.
“Your commitment to truth, fairness, and balance is what sets you apart. When you report responsibly, you become a trusted source of information.
“You help communities understand, heal, and grow. By choosing to report ethically, you are helping to build a Nigeria where every child is valued, protected, and given the opportunity to thrive.
“Let us remember, the way we report on children today shapes the kind of society we build tomorrow.
“By choosing ethics, you choose protection. You choose dignity. You choose a better future for every child in Nigeria,” she said.
In his welcome address, Mr Ogbodo Nnam, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, said the training would play a vital role in shaping public understanding.
According to him, it will also protect children as the most vulnerable members of society.
Nnam, represented by Mr Toye Falayi, Assistant Director and Head of CRIB in the ministry, said the media holds immense power to inform, inspire, and hold institutions accountable.
“But with that power comes a profound 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”, he said.
Nnam also said the training was designed to assist journalists in reflecting on their ethical obligations and exploring best practices for reporting on children’s issues.
