The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has identified ethical reporting on children in line with the Child Rights Convention as a vital responsibility for journalists.
Dr. Anslem Audu, Chief of UNICEF’s Port Harcourt Field Office, said this in a keynote address at the Ethical Reporting Training for media partners, in Port Harcourt , on Wednesday.
Audu stressed the critical importance of ethical journalism when reporting on children in Nigeria.
He highlighted the influential role of the media in shaping public perception and the well-being of Nigerian children.
He emphasized that while media can amplify children’s voices and bring attention to their challenges, it also carries a great responsibility to report with care, accuracy, and sensitivity.
“ Ethical reporting builds trust and fosters unity in Nigeria’s diverse society. Ethical journalism, grounded in fairness and accuracy, helps counter misinformation and hate speech, promoting peace especially in volatile regions like northwest Nigeria.
“ Conversely, irresponsible reporting can inflame tensions with devastating effects “, he said.
Dr. Audu cautioned against exposing the identities of children affected by violence or abuse, as this could lead to stigma and retraumatization.
He urged media professionals to safeguard children’s dignity by ensuring anonymity and obtaining consent for interviews.
Sensationalism, he noted, may sell papers but harms the future of these children.
Dr. Audu shared vivid examples to illustrate the consequences of unethical reporting: a survivor of abduction exposed publicly, graphic details that re-traumatize victims, and exploitative interviews that disregard a child’s psychological well-being.
He called for interviews to be conducted with care, prioritizing the child’s welfare and consent.
“ In a time when social media blurs the lines between professional and citizen journalism, journalists’ ethical commitment sets them apart.
“ This integrity builds loyal audiences and strengthens the media’s role as a trusted source of information despite pressures such as political interference and security risks.
“ UNICEF remains committed to supporting ethical reporting by building journalists’ capacity, promoting child-centered storytelling, and fostering a culture that prioritizes child welfare “, he added.
Dr. Audu encouraged participants to see the training as empowerment—urging them to be vigilant in fact-checking, protecting vulnerable children, balancing their stories, and championing ethics within newsrooms.
According to him, ethical reporting is, not just a moral imperative, but a professional obligation.
He expressed hope for collaboration among media partners to create a safer environment where Nigerian children can thrive without fear or stigma.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Mr Ogbodo Nnam reiterated the power of the media to inform, inspire and hold institutions accountable.
Nnam, was represented by Mr. Falayi Temitoye, Assistant Director and Head of the Child Rights Information Bureau at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
He reiterated the immense power of the media to influence society positively and urged participants to reflect on their ethical duties in protecting children’s rights as guaranteed by national laws and international conventions.
Our correspondent reports that the training marks a crucial step towards building a responsible media culture that informs, protects, and empowers Nigeria’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.