Journalists urged to protect children in their reporting

Journalists have been urged to ensure that their reportage does no harm to children, particularly girls and other vulnerable groups.

They have also been advised to safeguard truth and anonymity in their coverage of children by taking deliberate steps to protect them, especially when they are vulnerable.

The Head of Programmes at Plan International Ghana, Eric Ayaba, gave the advice in Koforidua at the opening of a three-day workshop organised for journalists from Accra, Suhum and the Volta and Oti regions.

The workshop was designed to enhance responsible, ethical and impactful reporting on children’s rights, gender equality and vulnerable communities.

“You have to know about that to make your reportage more responsible. If you are a responsible reporter, your reportage should not do no harm,’ he stressed.

Mr Ayaba urged journalists to seek the consent of children before engaging them in interviews, cautioning that consent, once given, could be withdrawn at any time.

He reminded participants to move away from portraying girls as passive victims and instead recognise them as active agents of change, adding that they should be seen as partners in the reportage process.

Touching on the theme of the training, he said that too often some journalists covering vulnerable groups fall into the trap of sensationalism or victim blaming, pointing out that doing so cuts off the most important information needed to tell the truth about a story.

The workshop offered participants the opportunity to strengthen their skills in child-centred, gender-sensitive and safeguarding-compliant reporting. It also provided in-depth insight into Plan International Ghana’s programmes and development priorities.

As part of the training, the journalists engaged directly with communities and developed real-life story ideas during a field visit to two cocoa-growing communities where child protection issues remain a significant concern.