UNICEF tasks journalists on ethical reporting

From Agaju Madugba, Kano

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged journalists to focus on ethical reporting as part of efforts to promote dialogue, especially in a “fragile context of North-West Nigeria, where insecurity and tension exist.”

According to the Chief, UNICEF Field Office Kano, Rahama Mohammed Farah, ethical reporting of children is the bedrock of a functioning society, and it is especially crucial for the future of the children in the North-West region.

Farah spoke on Monday in Kano at the opening of a two-day training programme on “Ethical Journalism and Child Rights” for media practitioners in North-West Nigeria.

The programme is being organised by the Federal Ministry of Information, in collaboration with UNICEF.

He said, “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, characterised by accuracy, fairness and balance, is the antidote to misinformation and hate speech.

“When you verify a fact before publishing, when you present multiple sides of a story, you are not just being professional; you are building a foundation of trust with your audience.

“At the same time, Irresponsible reporting can inflame passions with devastating consequences.

“Ethical reporting protects the vulnerable, especially children.

“Children are not miniature adults. They are vulnerable, their minds are impressionable, and their futures are shaped by how we represent them.

“Ethical reporting means protecting their identity. It means never publishing a child’s name or image in a way that would stigmatise them, expose them to retaliation, or re-traumatise them, especially children affected by violence, conflict or abuse.

“It means giving them a voice, not speaking for them.

“It involves interviewing children with dignity and consent, allowing them to share their experiences in a safe and respectful manner. It means prioritising their best interests.

“A sensational headline about a child might sell newspapers, but an ethical story protects the child’s right to a future free from shame and harm.

“The ethical approach is to prioritise the child’s welfare and interviews should only be conducted if absolutely necessary, with the consent of a guardian and a trained psychologist present, in a safe and private environment, and with no pressure.”