The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a strong warning to journalists across Nigeria, urging media professionals to place the safety, dignity and rights of children above the pursuit of sensational stories, ratings or online engagement.

The organisation cautioned that careless reporting, revealing photographs, intrusive interviews and the disclosure of identities could expose vulnerable children to lifelong consequences, including stigma, trauma and exploitation.

The warning was delivered on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a two-day Zonal Workshop on Ethical Reporting of Children organised by the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) in partnership with UNICEF's Enugu Field Office.

Addressing journalists, editors and media practitioners from across the South-East and South-South regions, Chief of UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, described the media as one of society's most influential institutions, capable of shaping public perception and influencing policies affecting children.

She noted that every story involving a child carries enormous responsibility because the manner in which it is reported can either protect a vulnerable child or expose them to further harm.

According to Chiluwe, children featured in newspapers, television broadcasts, radio programmes, online platforms and social media should never be viewed merely as subjects of news reports but as individuals with rights, dignity, dreams and futures that deserve protection.

She challenged journalists to move beyond asking whether a story is newsworthy and instead consider whether publishing specific details, photographs or identities serves the child's best interests.

The UNICEF official urged reporters to critically assess whether their coverage could compromise a child's safety, invade their privacy or deepen emotional wounds, particularly in cases involving abuse, violence or trauma.

"When in doubt, protect the child," she advised, emphasizing that ethical journalism requires caution, empathy and a child-centred approach.

Chiluwe expressed concern over the growing challenges posed by the digital age, where information can spread globally within seconds and remain accessible indefinitely.

She warned that once photographs, names, videos or audio recordings are uploaded online, they can be difficult or impossible to remove, potentially affecting a child's life for years to come.

Particular attention, she said, should be given to children affected by violence, sexual abuse, trafficking, conflict, displacement, disability, exploitation and legal proceedings, as they are among the most vulnerable groups requiring responsible and sensitive reporting.

Despite the risks, Chiluwe noted that ethical journalism remains a powerful tool for positive change. She said responsible reporting can expose injustice, raise public awareness, influence government action, hold institutions accountable and amplify solutions that improve children's lives.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, Apostle Francis Nwubani, represented by the Director of News and Current Affairs, Mr. Blessing Egbu, stressed that child-sensitive reporting goes beyond professional ethics and enters the realm of moral responsibility.

He warned that sensational headlines, inappropriate identification of minors, intrusive questioning and stigmatising language can worsen the suffering of already vulnerable children.

According to him, journalists must constantly reflect on whether their reports are protecting children or unintentionally putting them at greater risk.

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Nwubani said the workshop brought together media practitioners from Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Rivers, Cross River, Benue and Delta states with the goal of building professional capacity and promoting a shared understanding of ethical standards in reporting children's issues.

Participants were encouraged to ensure that their reporting respects children's privacy, preserves their dignity and gives them a voice without exposing them to additional harm.

In a presentation titled "Ethical Principles in Reporting Children's Issues," media scholar Dr. Geoffrey Njoku highlighted several sensitive subjects that demand careful and responsible coverage, including child marriage, female genital mutilation, rape, child trafficking, child prostitution, child labour, war, violence, racial discrimination and displacement.

He urged journalists to avoid sensational approaches that may attract attention at the expense of a child's wellbeing, reminding participants that the media plays a critical role in promoting and safeguarding child rights.

Describing journalists as agents of social transformation, Njoku said the profession carries a responsibility not only to inform society but also to advocate for the protection of vulnerable populations.

Another resource person, Dr. Jide Johnson, who spoke on "Media as Protector or Violator: Foundation of Child Rights," emphasized that safeguarding children is a collective responsibility shared by governments, families, communities and the media.

He argued that protecting children's rights is directly linked to national development, noting that investments made in children today determine the quality of society tomorrow.

Johnson stressed that every child deserves opportunities for survival, development, protection and participation, adding that neglecting these rights often creates long-term social and economic consequences.

Also speaking, veteran media professional Mr. Lanre Idowu urged journalists to focus on exposing social problems rather than turning vulnerable children into the centre of public scrutiny.

Presenting a paper on "Balancing Public Interest with Child Protection," he advised reporters to carefully weigh the public's right to know against a child's right to safety and dignity.

According to him, public interest should never become an excuse for violating children's rights or exposing them to danger.

He encouraged journalists to protect identities where necessary, provide context responsibly and ensure that the pursuit of truth does not come at the expense of a child's wellbeing.

As the workshop concluded, participants were expected to take the lessons learned back to their newsrooms and integrate them into everyday reporting practices.

With certificates set to be presented by UNICEF at the end of the programme, organisers expressed hope that the training would help create a new generation of journalists committed to reporting children's issues with compassion, professionalism and respect for their fundamental rights.

For UNICEF, the message was clear: a single photograph, headline or careless sentence can leave lasting scars on a child, making ethical reporting not merely a journalistic choice, but a responsibility that could shape a young life forever.