The Federal Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Education Trust Fund, has called on the media organisations and the practitioners in the country to join hands with it in protecting the rights of children.
The FG, through the Federal Ministry of Information and Orientation, emphasised 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.
Speaking at a two-day training of media practitioners on ethical journalism and children’s rights reporting, on Monday, in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ogbodo Nnam, said the expectation from the media was in the area of ethical reporting of child protection.
Nnam, represented by the Assistant Director/ Head, Child Rights Information Bureau of the ministry, Temitoye Falayi, said the training was designed to help in reflecting on the ethical obligations as journalists, “explore best practices for reporting on children’s issues, and strengthen our understanding of child rights as enshrined in national laws and international conventions.”
He said, “The media holds immense power, the power to inform, to inspire, and to 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.
In her keynote address, the UNICEF Chief of Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, noted that ethical reporting about children was imperative to ensure their rights were not compromised in pursuit of catchy headlines.
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