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Over sixty (60) Media professionals from South-East, South-South and North-Central regions, have been charged to use their platforms responsibly to promote the protection and advancement of children’s rights in Nigeria.
This call was made by Dr. Jide Johnson during a presentation titled “Why the Media and Child Rights?” at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Workshop on Ethical Journalism and Child Rights Reporting, held recently at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt.
Dr. Johnson, a seasoned communication scholar, emphasized that the media occupies a central position in the public sphere as the “Fourth Estate of the Realm,” constitutionally empowered under Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution to hold power to account.
He described the media as “the watchdog of society,” with a moral and professional responsibility to give voice to the voiceless, especially children who are among the most vulnerable groups.
He noted that in a democratic setting, the media is structurally embedded in the governance system, with access to the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This, he said, positions journalists to influence policies and shape narratives that affect children’s welfare and protection. “The one who tells the story rules the world,” Dr. Johnson said, stressing that journalists have the power to frame public perception and drive social change through responsible storytelling.
Highlighting the evolution of the media landscape, he pointed to the emergence of the “Fifth Estate” — social media — which has transformed how information is created and consumed. While digital platforms have broadened public participation, he cautioned against the spread of misinformation and unethical practices that could endanger children.
Dr. Johnson urged journalists to leverage traditional and digital media to inform, educate, and mobilize the public on issues affecting children, using ethical and culturally sensitive approaches. He recommended strategies such as investigative reporting, data-driven storytelling, features, jingles in local languages, and community-focused content to promote child rights awareness.
He concluded by reminding participants that journalism is “storytelling with a purpose.” The power of the media, he said, lies not only in its reach but in its ability to frame reality and shape the values of society. “When the media tells the story of the child with empathy, truth, and responsibility,” Dr. Johnson stated, “it becomes a force for protection, inclusion, and nationa
l development.”
