UNICEF, FG Train Journalists On Ethical Reporting Of Children

Tuesday September 02, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information, has commenced a two-day regional workshop in Kano to equip journalists with the skills and ethical principles required for reporting stories involving children.

The workshop, which began on Monday at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, drew participants from Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In his keynote address, the Head of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Muhammad, described ethical reporting of children as “a vital service to democracy and to the community,” stressing that journalists must place the best interests of children above sensationalism.

“Ethical journalism builds trust, protects the vulnerable, and strengthens social cohesion,” Muhammad said.

“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.”

He warned against publishing names, photographs, or other identifying details of children affected by violence, conflict, or abuse, noting that such reporting can re-traumatise victims, stigmatise families, and inflict long-lasting damage.

The UNICEF official highlighted three core reasons for ethical child reporting, which include building trust and reducing social division in a diverse country like Nigeria, protecting the dignity and safety of vulnerable children and enhancing journalistic credibility in an era of misinformation and social media chaos.

Muhammad also urged journalists to support ongoing efforts to enforce laws protecting children’s rights, warning that individuals posting harmful content about children online could face prosecution.