UNICEF Urges Journalists to Uphold Ethics in Reporting Children’s Rights

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has called on journalists to uphold ethical standards when reporting issues related to children, emphasizing the need to protect their rights, dignity, and well-being.

The reminder came during a two-day capacity-building workshop on ethical journalism and child rights reporting, organised by the Child Rights Information Bureau of the ministry in collaboration with UNICEF. The training, held at Kakanfo Hotel in Ibadan, Oyo State, brought together over 30 journalists, editors, and correspondents from across the country to strengthen advocacy for child protection and the full implementation of the Child Rights Act.

Stakeholders cautioned against publishing stories that could expose children to harm, stigma, or exploitation, particularly in light of the growing challenges of insecurity, violence, hunger, malnutrition, child labour, and abuse in Nigeria. They noted that any report that portrays a child negatively or as a victim could cause more damage than protection.

UNICEF Lagos Field Office Chief, Celine Lafoucriere, in her keynote address titled “Why Ethical Reporting of Children Matters in Nigeria,” highlighted that children’s vulnerability makes ethical reporting an urgent priority. She noted, “Children are not miniature adults. Ethical reporting is not just a professional standard; it is a moral responsibility. It ensures that every child is seen, heard, and protected with dignity.”

Lafoucriere urged journalists to become champions of responsible storytelling, adding that the media’s role goes beyond informing — it also shapes perceptions and influences how society treats its most vulnerable members.

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ogbodo Nnam, represented by Temitoye Falayi, Head of the Child Rights Information Bureau, said the training aims to foster a media culture that protects children’s identities, amplifies their voices responsibly, and prioritizes their best interests.

“The media holds great power — the power to inform, inspire, and hold leaders accountable. But with that power comes an equally great responsibility: to report with sensitivity, integrity, and respect for human dignity,” Nnam said.

Experts including Dr. Jide Johnson of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, communication specialists Dr. Lekan Sote and Dr. Geoffrey Njoku, and Prof. Charles Obot of the University of Uyo, emphasized that journalists must understand both national and international child protection laws. They stressed that every report involving children must uphold the principle of “do no harm” and promote their safety, growth, and rights above all else.