The Federal Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has called on media practitioners across Nigeria to strengthen their role in safeguarding children’s rights through ethical and responsible reporting.
The appeal was made on Monday in Ibadan, Oyo State, during a two-day training workshop on ethical journalism and child rights reporting, organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in partnership with UNICEF.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ogbodo Nnam, represented by the Head of the Child Rights Information Bureau, Temitoye Falayi, said the training aimed to help journalists reflect on their ethical obligations and adopt best practices in reporting children’s issues.
“The media holds immense 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,” Nnam said.
He noted that every image or word used in a report involving children could have lasting consequences on their lives, safety, and future. “Through open discussion, case studies, and shared experiences, we aim to build a media culture that protects children’s identities, amplifies their voices responsibly, and upholds the highest ethical standards,” he added.
In her keynote address, UNICEF Chief of the Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, said ethical reporting is both a professional and moral duty.
“At UNICEF, we believe that every child has the right to be seen, heard, and protected. Ethical reporting is not just a professional standard; it is a moral imperative,” she said.
She urged journalists to ensure children’s stories are told with dignity and care, warning that their rights must never be compromised in pursuit of sensational headlines or profit.
“Our expectation is that participants will leave this training with renewed commitment to uphold the highest standards of journalism — especially when it comes to children,” Lafoucriere said.
She added that the way children are reported today shapes the kind of society that will emerge tomorrow.
“By choosing ethics, you choose protection. You choose dignity. And you choose a better future for every child in Nigeria,” she said.