The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information, has launched a two-day regional workshop in Kano to equip journalists with the skills and ethical principles needed for reporting stories involving children.
The workshop, which began Monday at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, attracted participants from Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
In his keynote address, Head of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Rahama Muhammad, described ethical reporting on children as “a vital service to democracy and the community,” emphasizing that journalists must prioritize the best interests of children over sensationalism.
“Ethical journalism builds trust, protects the vulnerable, and strengthens social cohesion.
“A sensational headline about a child might sell newspapers, but an ethical story safeguards the child’s right to a future free from shame and harm”, Muhammad said.
He warned against publishing names, photographs, or other identifying details of children affected by violence, conflict, or abuse, noting that such reporting could re-traumatize victims, stigmatize families, and cause long-term harm.
Muhammad highlighted three core reasons for ethical child reporting: to build trust and reduce social divisions in a diverse country like Nigeria, protect the dignity and safety of vulnerable children, and enhance journalistic credibility amid misinformation and the chaos of social media.
