The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has restated its commitment to promoting ethical reporting on child rights.
Mr Joseph Senesie, Officer-in-Charge, UNICEF Maiduguri Field Office, stated this virtually at a one-day media dialogue on Tuesday in Damaturu, Yobe.
He said the dialogue was aimed at refreshing journalists’ understanding of ethical principles in reporting issues affecting children.
He noted that the media, as the fourth estate of the realm, had a responsibility to report accurately and sensitively, especially on vulnerable groups such as children.
Senesie said UNICEF, in partnership with state governments in the North-East, had made notable progress in child-focused interventions in health, education, nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
He said that in 2024, nearly 600,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition were treated, 1.2 million received pentavalent vaccines, and 1.6 million were covered by cholera vaccinations.
According to him, over 500,000 children under five had their births registered, while 500,000 others accessed formal and non-formal education in Borno and Yobe states.
He said major gaps remained, with only three in 10 children in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa having birth certificates, while nearly two million children were still out of school.
He also expressed concern that 12 local government areas in Borno and Yobe were categorised as zero-dose LGAs, where children had not received routine immunisation.
“We invite the media to independently report on both progress and existing gaps to drive policy and shape public discourse on child wellbeing,” Senesie said.
Also speaking, UNICEF Communication Officer, Mrs Folashade Adebayo, said the dialogue was convened to strengthen ethical practices in child rights reporting.
Adebayo said the engagement was aimed at equipping journalists to report in line with international standards and to promote the protection and dignity of children.
A facilitator at the training, Dr Uche Anunne, emphasised the need to avoid publishing identifiable images or names of children, especially in distressing situations.
He advised journalists to avoid conducting interviews with children immediately after traumatic events and stressed the importance of obtaining proper consent from parents or guardians.
Anunne also urged the media to avoid stereotypes and discrimination, especially in matters related to religion, disability, or health conditions.
The dialogue ended with a call for journalists to uphold ethical principles in reporting and contribute to amplifying the voices of children in humanitarian settings. (NAN)
