The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has called on media practitioners to strengthen ethical and child-sensitive reporting as a vital tool in combating the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts.
The appeal was made at a multi-day workshop in Abuja organised by the NUJ FCT Council in collaboration with the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR). The event brought together journalists, diplomats, and development partners to build capacity in responsible conflict reporting.
Representing NUJ FCT Chairperson Comrade Grace Ike, Council Treasurer Comrade Sandra Chukwugekwu emphasised the media’s pivotal role in shaping public discourse and policy on child protection.
“The media has a central role to play in addressing this crisis,” she said. “As journalists, we shape public awareness, influence policy debates, and hold institutions accountable.”
Chukwugekwu cautioned against sensationalism, urging participants to prioritise practices that protect children’s identities and dignity while highlighting underlying causes such as poverty, lack of education, family breakdown, and social marginalisation.
“We can help prevent recruitment by telling accurate, sensitive stories,” she added.
She also called for stronger 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 essential partners in exposing recruitment networks and reframing narratives around children in conflict.
“You are not merely chroniclers of conflict. You are a powerful human rights advocate,” she said. “Through ethical, child-centred reporting, you can expose recruitment networks and shift the narrative from perpetrators to vulnerable victims.”
Nsa noted that the training would provide journalists with trauma-informed tools to report safely and responsibly on sensitive cases involving children.
Africa Programme Director of Journalists for Human Rights, Mr. Mustapha Dumbuya, explained that JHR works across several African countries to advance human rights through media development. He said the workshop aims to enhance journalists’ skills in ethical reporting, safety in conflict zones, and responsible use of digital platforms.
"We believe the media is a critical entry point for advancing human rights and holding duty-bearers accountable,” Dumbuya stated.
Representing the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Counsellor (Political) Mr. Omar Alihashi reaffirmed Canada’s support for international initiatives to protect children affected by armed conflict, particularly those aligned with the Vancouver Principles.
“Journalists play a particularly important role through accurate, ethical and responsible reporting,” he said. “This workshop reflects our shared commitment to prevention, partnership and knowledge sharing.”
Organisers said the training, which continues over several days, will cover child-centred reporting, trauma-informed journalism, digital ethics, and gender-sensitive approaches to conflict reporting.
The workshop underscores growing recognition of the media’s influence in preventing the exploitation of children in conflict situations and promoting their protection and rehabilitation.(Urban Paparazzi)
