By joshua Protect children from abuse, UNICEF, experts urge media
By Joy Mbachi /Stephen Adeleye
Port Harcourt Aug. 20, 2026 – The United Nations Education Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and child rights experts have called on the media to portray children in crises as survivors and not just as victims.
They made the call at a two-day zonal media training on “Ethical Child Rights Reporting” on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
The training organised by UNICEF had in attendance media professionals from the print and electronic media across 10 states, namely Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Imo and Abia.
The experts urged journalists to adopt stricter newsroom protocols to protect the rights, dignity and safety of children during media coverage.
Speaking, Dr Nansel Nimyel, former Executive Director, Administration and Training, NTA, said media narratives shape how society viewed children and must be handled with care.
He said that exposure of minors in abuse stories had led to stigma and long-term psychological harm.
He said there was the need to establish dedicated children’s desks; and protecting identities through pseudonyms and blurred images.
He further advocated obtaining guardian consent and child assent; and using balanced narratives that highlight resilience.
According to him, other safeguards include mandatory pre-publication review of child-related stories; a red-flag system for sensitive issues like abuse and trafficking as well as regular staff training on trauma-informed reporting.
He also canvassed internal complaints systems, and transparent corrections as part of measures to protect children from negative media exposure.
Citing best practices, he said some Nigeria media prioritised protection of children’s identity, avoid exposing minors in conflict situations.
He said there as also the need for reforms-focused coverage of Almajiri education.
Globally, he said BBC, The Guardian UK and Al Jazeera have strict child protection protocols.
Dr Jide Johnson of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), said in spite of interventions, children were still used in armed conflicts, trafficking, drug courier and exposed to pornography.
Johnson urged the media to hold governments accountable on infant and maternal mortality, healthcare, nutrition, safe water and child development.
He outlined a strategic and tactical roadmap to address child rights and disabuse stigma against abuse survivors.
He also recommended producing features, cartoons, jingles and investigative reports that bring the human angle to reportage of child-right abuses.
UNICEF said the training was part of efforts to ensure media coverage advances rather than endangers child rights in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
End