Journalists commit to safeguarding Children in crisis reporting

By Hilltopvoices Team

Journalists from across the North West have committed themselves to safeguarding Children while going about their business of reporting the on-going armed conflict in the region.

The close to 30 journalists and media professionals took the commitment Saturday May 11 in Bamenda at the close of a two day workshop organised by Plan International.

 

Cross Section of Journalists and Media professionals in Session.

 

Opening the Workshop Emmanuella Nting Songbi Deputy Emergency Response Manager DERM explained that Plan Cameroon International being an organisation centred on the needs of children, has an obligation to ensure children are protected from all forms of harm. According to the DERM, Plan International’s reason for existence is to strive for just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. The passage of the media in the life of a child she added should leave a positive experience and not leave a child uncomfortable, unhappy or traumatised.  She called on the participants being media professionals to help Plan promote this purpose of existence.

In what could be described as the foundational presentations on humanitarian reporting and reporting and responding to Safeguarding Children and Young People Hedley Tah Communication and Media Coordinator NW/SW Response explained that it is important for media men and women to take an interest on reporting about child abuse because children are always at risk of further abuse if not reported and consequently there will be no response which may cause further harm on the child or children. This he added will also provide the right forum for discussions which will improve access for support. He called on reporters to be vigilant and report when they get indications from children, witnesses, suspects, rumours of, signs, illnesses or behaviours of child abuse. 

These presentations and others paved the way for the journalists and media professionals to pen their signatures on the “Guidelines for journalists and media professionals when interviewing or reporting on children” which elaborately discussed; Child editorial principles, The Dos and Don’ts when interviewing a child, The Dos and Don’ts when photographing/filming a child, Use of children’s images principles and Child protection principles in reporting. 

With the objective to educate their media partners on Plan International’s child safeguarding policy, the international non-governmental humanitarian child centred organisation used the workshop to improve the knowledge of the participants on amongst other things; Gender and Inclusion Reporting on Gender Based Violence and Rape Cases, Humanitarian reporting, Fraud and risk management, safety in crisis.