The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on journalists to prioritise child protection over sensational reporting, particularly when covering survivors of abuse and violence.
Speaking at a Northeast and North Central Regional Workshop on Ethical Reporting of Children in Gombe State on Monday, communications consultant Sussan Akila delivered a keynote on behalf of the UNICEF Country Representative.
Akila warned that headlines, photographs, and stories can cause long-term trauma to child victims if not handled responsibly. “Journalists must ask themselves whether the images, captions, or information they publish will help the victim or cause further harm,” she said.
She cautioned against publishing identifiable images or details of child survivors, noting such actions expose them to community stigma and re-traumatisation.
“While reporters move on to other stories, the impact of their reports remains with affected communities for many years,” Akila emphasised, urging media practitioners to approach child coverage with empathy and ethical consideration.
The workshop aims to equip journalists with skills to produce responsible stories that safeguard children’s dignity while informing the public.