OBINNA UCHENDU Abakaliki
A Media and Communication Consultant, Dr. Geoffrey Njoku has called on journalists in the country to at all times ensure the protection of Children and young people from harmful reporting as they have all the rights of adults and the right against stigmatization and retribution.
Dr. Njoku made the disclosure during a two-day media training on ethical journalism and child rights reporting organized by the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF in collaboration with the Child Right Information Bureau, CRIB, Federal Ministry of Information and Orientation.
Dr. Njoku while speaking on the UNICEF Ethical Guidelines For Reporting On Children maintained that reporting on children and young people has its special challenges with all the “do not’s” and even more daunting with current dynamics of the social media.
He noted that the act of reporting on children places them or other children at risk of retribution or stigmatization adding that UNICEF developed principles offered as guidelines to help media cover children in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner.
“The guidelines are meant to support the best intentions of ethical reporters, serving the public interest without compromising the rights of children. Whenever in doubt however, err on the side of caution and do least harm in the best interest of the child.
“The dignity and rights of every child are to be respected in every circumstance. In interviewing and reporting on children, special attention is to be paid to each child’s right.
“The rights includes, privacy, confidentiality, to have their opinions heard, to participate in decisions affecting them, to be protected from harm and retribution, including the potential of harm and retribution.
“The best interests of each child are to be protected over any other consideration, including over advocacy for children’s issues and the promotion of child rights.
“When trying to determine the best interests of a child, the child’s right to have their views taken into account are to be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity
“Do no harm to any child; avoid questions, attitudes or comments that are judgmental, insensitive to cultural values, that place a child in danger or expose a child to humiliation, or that reactivate a child’s pain and grief from traumatic events.
He further urged journalists not to discriminate in choosing children to interview because of sex, race, age, religion, status, educational background or physical abilities.
The Head, Department of Film and Multimedia Studies, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, Prof Charles Obot emphasized the need on re-writing harmful headlines into ethical alternatives.
He noted that it involves casting headlines that are in the public interest, wholesome, with minimal or no harm to the persons and society at large without sacrificing vital and necessary information required by the society and audience.
He noted that to achieve this, the News Editor should be guided by the principles such as legal implications of the story, adherence to the ‘Golden Rule of how would I feel if I or my family members were at the receiving end of the headlines I want to carry?, empathy for the people affected in the news and the editorial policy of the media house.
He maintained that media houses should balance the consequences of identification, age, and the seriousness of their behaviour against the public interest in identification and freedom of speech.
“Children and young people who are witnesses or victims of crime, we must make judgements about their vulnerability before revealing their name, address, school or other educational establishment. Ends.
