NUJ FCT Council Advocates Ethical Reporting on Child Rights

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council urged journalists to strengthen ethical reporting on child protection in armed conflict during a workshop held in Abuja. The workshop, organized in collaboration with the Dallaire Institute and Journalist for Human Rights (JHR), aimed to address the recruitment of children into armed conflict.

Comrade Grace Ik, the NUJ FCT Chairperson, and Comrade Sandra Chukwugekwu, the Council Treasurer, highlighted the media's critical role in shaping public awareness and influencing policy regarding child protection issues. They warned against sensational reporting and urged journalists to adopt child-sensitive practices that uphold dignity and accurately portray the root causes of child recruitment, such as poverty and lack of education.

Mr. Offiong Nsa from the Dallaire Institute and Mr. Mustapha Dumbuya from JHR discussed the importance of ethical reporting and the need for collaboration among government agencies, security institutions, civil society, and the media. Mr. Omar Alihashi, a political counselor from the Canadian High Commission, reaffirmed Canada's commitment to protecting children affected by armed conflict.