Journalists Urged to Uphold Ethical Standards in Reporting on Children
Journalists have been strongly advised to adhere strictly to ethical guidelines when reporting on activities and incidents involving children. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), through its Kano Field Office, emphasized the paramount importance of safeguarding children’s rights and privileges, as enshrined in the Child Rights Act (CRA), during media coverage of child-related issues.
This crucial appeal was made during a workshop jointly organized by UNICEF and the Kano Radio Corporation in Dutse, Jigawa State. The intensive training session brought together a diverse group of media professionals, including selected journalists, editors, and state correspondents from both print and electronic media outlets across Kano and Jigawa states.
The workshop underscored the necessity for media practitioners to adopt ethical and professional approaches when reporting on incidents that affect children. A key focus was placed on advising journalists to steer clear of presenting information in a manner that could inflict harm or exacerbate the trauma experienced by children.
Safeguarding Children’s Rights: A Core Responsibility
In his keynote address, the Officer-in-Charge and Chief of Field Office (CFO) for UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Dr. Karanveer Singh, charged journalists with the responsibility of ensuring that all their reporting on children’s issues is accurate, fair, balanced, and consistently aligned with ethical standards.
Dr. Singh highlighted the indispensable role journalists play in protecting the rights and dignity of children, referring to them as the “leaders of tomorrow” whose welfare must be a priority for the media. He pointed out that northern Nigeria currently faces significant challenges in protecting children’s rights, making it even more imperative to foster environments where children can grow up safely and be supported.
The training was specifically designed to illuminate key ethical practices. These included the critical need to obtain consent before using children’s photographs and the imperative to refrain from publishing graphic or distressing details of violence or trauma involving minors.
Furthermore, Dr. Singh strongly advised against interviewing children without the explicit consent of their parents or guardians, asserting that any form of forceful or subtle interviewing of a child without proper authorization constitutes a clear violation of their rights.
The Media’s Vital Role in a Complex Landscape
Dr. Karanveer Singh acknowledged the challenging environment in which journalists often operate, frequently at great personal risk, to deliver truth and information to the public. He emphasized that their role extends beyond mere employment, serving as a vital service to democracy and the community.
“Ethical Reporting of Children is important, and it matters a lot in Nigeria – it is not just another theme for a workshop,” Dr. Singh stated emphatically. “It is, in my view, the very bedrock of a functioning society, and it is especially crucial for the future of the children in this region.”
He elaborated on the power of ethical reporting: “Ethical Reporting Builds Trust and Heals Division. In a nation or society with diverse ethnicities, religions, and perspectives, the media is the glue that can hold people together—or the wedge that can drive them apart! Ethical journalism, characterized by accuracy, fairness, and balance, is the antidote to misinformation and hate speech.”
Dr. Singh underscored that verifying facts before publication and presenting multiple sides of a story are not just professional obligations but also foundational steps in building trust with the audience. He noted that in the fragile context of northwest Nigeria, where insecurity and tension are prevalent, responsible reporting can de-escalate situations, encourage dialogue, and promote peace. Conversely, irresponsible reporting can incite passions with potentially devastating outcomes.
Principles for Responsible Journalism
Dr. Singh urged journalists to be diligent fact-checkers, advising them to let accuracy be their compass in the race to break news. He posed the critical question: “Am I protecting the vulnerable in this story?”
He reiterated that the best interests of the child should be a non-negotiable principle, advocating for balanced stories that seek multiple perspectives to provide audiences with a complete picture. He also encouraged journalists to hold each other accountable and to champion ethical practices within their newsrooms and among their peers.
“I challenge all media practitioners to deploy their professional skills and outlets to set the agenda on child rights issues – to put issues of child survival, development, protection, and well-being to the front burner of discourse in media content offerings, regionally and nationally,” he concluded.
Expert Insights on Child Rights Reporting
Alhaji Abubakar Rano, the Managing Director of Kano State Radio Corporation, represented by Aisha Usman, Deputy Director of Programmes and UNICEF Focal Person, underscored the critical role of journalists in shaping public opinion and influencing government decisions in favor of children. She stated, “Children are vulnerable and need protection. If we report carelessly, we may harm their dignity, expose their identity, or create stigma.”
Samuel Kaalu, UNICEF Kano Communications Specialist, presented on “Ethical Principles in Reporting Children’s Issues.” He emphasized that countries that are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are legally bound to implement its provisions, which are monitored by the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Kaalu outlined four guiding principles of the convention: non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, the right to life, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child.
Dr. Jide Johnson described the media as a protector, not a violator, of children’s rights. Lekan Sote provided guidance on when journalists should report on children’s issues and when they should refrain, with a strong emphasis on the careful selection of language used in reporting, considering the specific circumstances of each incident. Jumoke Falayi, a respected female journalist, addressed the unique considerations and challenges of reporting on children across television, radio, digital media, and social media platforms.
The workshop successfully aimed to strengthen ethical journalism principles, reduce sensationalism, and curb the spread of misinformation in the reporting of incidences and circumstances involving children.
