The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Federal Government and a Professor of Broadcast Development and Political Communication at the University of Uyo, Charles Obot, have called on journalists across Nigeria to uphold the highest ethical standards in child rights reporting, stressing that responsible storytelling remains critical to protecting the dignity and well-being of the Nigerian child.

UNICEF Chief of Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere; the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam and Obot made the call  during a two-day training on Ethical Journalism and Child Rights Reporting in Ibadan, Oyo State, from October 27 to 28.

The workshop was organised by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in collaboration with UNICEF, with media practitioners from the South-West, Edo, and Delta states as participants.

In her keynote address, Lafoucriere described ethical reporting as “not just a professional standard but a moral imperative” that shapes how society views and treats its children.

“At UNICEF, we believe every child has the right to be seen, heard, and protected.  Ethical reporting means protecting children’s identities, avoiding sensationalism, and ensuring that their stories are told with dignity and care. When journalists report responsibly.”

they not only protect children, they build trust and help communities heal and grow,” Lafoucriere said.

The Assistant Director and Head of Advocacy at CRIB, Temitoye Falayi, who represented the federal permanent secretary, reminded participants of their vital role in shaping public perception.

“The media has the power to inform, inspire, and hold institutions accountable. But with that power comes responsibility to uphold integrity and respect for human dignity. Every image, every word, and every frame involving a child carries consequences. We must protect children’s identities and amplify their voices responsibly,” Falayi stated.

He noted  that the training aligns with the broader national agenda to promote ethical standards consistent with the Child Rights Act (2003) and international instruments such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.  On his part, Obot urged media organisations to institutionalise ethics through internal codes of conduct.

“Every media house should have clear guidelines for child-sensitive reporting, just as citizens are guided by the constitution,” he said.

Also speaking, UNICEF Communication Consultant, Dr. Geoffrey Njoku, traced the evolution of child rights from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), which Nigeria ratified in 1991.

He stressed that while robust legal frameworks exist, their impact depends on implementation and advocacy,  areas where the media remains indispensable.

He lauded states such as Lagos for establishing family courts and child protection committees, describing them as practical steps towards safeguarding children’s rights.