Child Reporting: Journalists Reminded Of Ethical, Rights Considerations

The media is awash these days with stories on children and minors with their identities exposed, thereby putting them at the risk of violence, exploitation, discrimination…. The situation has been worsened since the advent of social media. With people posting anything on children without regard for their right to protection of image.   
It was against this background that the Ministry of Communication and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, held a workshop for journalists and communication professionals in Yaounde on June 3, 2022. The main objective was to remind participants of how to report children appropriately. In focus group discussions, participants proposed a training guide on the deontology, ethics and rights of child reporting. Which will be used for similar workshops in the regions.
UNICEF has developed principles and guidelines to help journalists report on children’s issues in a way that enables them to serve the public interest without compromising children’s rights. These include respecting the dignity and rights of every child; paying special attention to each child's right to privacy and confidentiality; protecting children’s best interests over any other considerations, and letting their views count. 
Journalists should find out if there are any ramifications around their reportage, and not publish a story or image that puts the child or relatives at risk. On interviewing children, UNICEF recomm...