By Nasir Shuaibu, Bauchi
Women journalists have been urged to strengthen their understanding and application of the Child Protection Law to ensure that media reports safeguard the rights, dignity, and well-being of children.
The call was made during a training session organised by the Bauchi State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, on child protection and the role of the media in promoting a safe environment for children.
According to the NAWOJ Chairperson, Rashida Yusuf the training emphasised the responsibility of women journalists to ensure that their reports do not expose children to further trauma, harm, stigma, or vulnerability.
She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained in their newsrooms and make child protection a key consideration in daily reporting.
In her presentation, the Chief Registrar of the Bauchi State Ministry of Justice, Amina Garba, highlighted the need for journalists to understand the legal provisions governing child protection, including the principle that the best interests of the child should remain paramount in matters concerning children.
Garba cautioned against publishing information that could directly or indirectly reveal the identities of children involved in sensitive cases.
She noted that merely blurring a child’s face may not be sufficient where accompanying details could still enable members of the community to identify the child.
The Chief Registrar urged journalists to use their platforms to create public awareness on child protection laws and to educate communities on their responsibilities towards safeguarding children.
Participants were also urged to familiarise themselves with established child protection structures and reporting mechanisms to ensure that cases involving children are appropriately handled.
The session stressed that responsible journalism can contribute significantly to protecting children’s rights and promoting a safer, more child-friendly society.
Some participants, Mrs. Jennifer Magawata and Mrs. Beatrice Gondy described the training as timely, saying it had brought the knowledge needed to improve child protection reporting to the doorstep of journalists, particularly women journalists.[Surname]
They said the training would help ensure that the rights of every child are protected and that reports involving children are handled in line with the Child Protection Act and relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
They commended the organisers for equipping journalists with prerequisite knowledge on child protection laws guiding their profession.
The event brought together members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Bauchi State Chapter.
