NUJ FCT Urges Child-Sensitive Reporting To Combat Recruitment Of Children In Armed Conflict
As armed conflicts continue to expose children to exploitation and abuse, media professionals are being urged to adopt ethical reporting practices that protect vulnerable children and support efforts to prevent their recruitment into armed groups.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has called on journalists to strengthen child-sensitive and ethical reporting as part of broader efforts to tackle the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.
The call was made during a workshop in Abuja organised by the NUJ FCT Council in partnership with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), bringing together journalists, diplomats and development partners.
Representing the Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, the Council Treasurer, Comrade Sandra Chukwugekwu, emphasised the media’s vital role in shaping public understanding, influencing policy and holding institutions accountable on child protection issues.
She cautioned journalists against sensationalism and urged them to report responsibly by protecting children’s identities and dignity.
According to her, accurate and sensitive storytelling can help prevent child recruitment by drawing attention to underlying factors such as poverty, inadequate education, family breakdown and social exclusion.
Chukwugekwu further stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, security institutions, civil society organisations and the media to prevent child recruitment and support rehabilitation programmes.
Country Representative of the Dallaire Institute, Mrs Offiong Nsa, described journalists as key allies in exposing recruitment networks and promoting child-centred narratives.
She noted that ethical reporting could shift public perception from viewing affected children as perpetrators to recognising them as victims in need of protection and support.
Also speaking, Mr Mustapha Dumbuya, Africa Programme Director of Journalists for Human Rights, said the training was designed to strengthen journalists’ capacity in ethical reporting, safety in conflict environments and responsible digital journalism.
Representing the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Omar Alihashi, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to protecting children affected by armed conflict and highlighted the importance of responsible journalism in advancing the objectives of the Vancouver Principles on preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
Organisers said the multi-day workshop will focus on child-centred reporting, trauma-informed journalism, digital ethics and gender-sensitive approaches to conflict coverage.
Follow the Savinews Africa channel on WhatsApp:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VawgaEL5vKA9Y5XTFg0n