Forty journalists from the North Central, South East and South South zones have committed to upholding ethical standards in reporting children’s issues following a 2-day national workshop in Port Harcourt.
The training, held from August 19 to 20, 2026, was organized by CRIB/UNICEF and facilitated by child rights experts including Susan Akila of UNICEF, Temitoye Falayi of CRIB, Dr. Geoffrey Njoku, and veteran broadcaster Namsel Nimyel.
Participants took sessions on child rights, trauma-informed journalism, legal frameworks, and developing media house child protection policies. Case studies and group exercises were used to show how reporting can protect children instead of exposing them to harm.
In a communiqué issued at the end, the journalists resolved to prioritize the dignity, safety and best interests of children in all reports. They agreed to avoid graphic details, use terms like “alleged” until guilt is proven in court, and refrain from interviews that could re-traumatize children. They also called for media houses to set up dedicated Child Rights Desks.
The group recommended that UNICEF expand training to include media owners and senior management, and that newsrooms institutionalize child protection policies. Continuous training for journalists and editors was also emphasized.
Participants thanked UNICEF, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, and CRIB for supporting the workshop, saying it would strengthen responsible coverage of children’s rights in Nigeria.
They concluded that the media must amplify children’s voices and highlight violations without becoming a source of further harm.
