By Polycarp Auta
Jos – The United Nation Children’s Funds (UNICEF) on Monday organised a meeting to sensitise journalists on reporting issues of violence against children in the society.
Speaking at the meeting in Jos, Ms Ladi Alabi, Child Protection Specialist with UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said the rationale for the training was to equip reporters with the ethos and ethics of reporting children-related issues.
Alabi said that the meeting was also based on the critical role the media played in shaping the society.
She explained further that the training became imperative owing to the fact that Plateau was ready to launch the campaign on violence against children.
“We recognise the important role the media plays in shaping any society; these are roles that cannot be relegated to the background.
“So, we believe that the media should understand the ethics of reporting issues that regard the rights of children.
“Since Plateau will soon launch its action plan on ending violence against children, we believe it can only be successful when the media are well-equipped,” Alabi said.
She said that the training would avail journalists the opportunity to understand the critical role they could play in ending violence against children in the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Plateau will launch its action plan on violence against children on Sept. 29.