By Muhammad Amaan
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has emphasised the need for ethical reporting on children to safeguard their future, particularly amid prevailing challenges in Northern Nigeria.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Dr Karanveer Singh, made the call on Wednesday during a media engagement in Dutse, Jigawa state focused on responsible coverage of issues involving children.
Dr Singh said the gathering aimed to promote sensitivity, empathy and professionalism among journalists when reporting incidents involving minors.
“This is a very important gathering because we are discussing ethical reporting on children. Children are our future, and it is our duty to protect the future of our country,” he said.
According to him, Northern Nigeria is currently facing difficult circumstances, and there is a need to ensure that children grow up in a safe and supportive environment.
“We must give them every opportunity to grow into healthy, responsible and well-educated citizens so that they can contribute meaningfully to the development of our country,” he added.
The UNICEF official identified sensitivity and empathy as critical elements in reporting cases involving children, urging journalists to adhere strictly to the principle of “do no harm.”
“When reporting any incident involving a child, we must be very careful.
“We should not publish anything that could aggravate their trauma or worsen their situation,” he said.
Dr Singh also cautioned journalists against exposing children to additional risks through media coverage.
He stated that minors were highly vulnerable and aware of narratives surrounding them.
“It is important to give children a voice, but adults must not speak for them,” he said.
He also highlighted the plight of children in the region, including exposure to abduction, violence and gender-based abuse.
According to him, media practitioners must avoid disclosing names, photographs or any identifying details of affected children and refrain from publishing graphic descriptions of such incidents.
“Being sensitive in reporting is extremely important because we must ensure that we are not adding to the trauma of the child or their family,” Singh said.
