Canada’s high commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, has urged journalists in the country to ensure accurate, ethical and responsible reporting to protect the Nigerian child against online and physical violence.

He made the call at the opening of a five-day workshop on the ‘Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Children in Armed Conflict/Violence’ in Abuja on Monday.

The workshop is organised for journalists in Abuja by Dallaire Institute’s Journalists for Human Rights in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy. 

Mr Salvaggio said, “Children affected by conflict face profound challenges. Beyond the immediate dangers of violence, recruitment into armed groups can have lasting consequences for their education, well-being, opportunities, and future.

“Addressing these challenges requires the efforts of governments, communities, civil society, security actors, and the media. Journalists play a particularly important role. 

“Through accurate, ethical and responsible reporting, the media can help raise awareness, amplify evidence-based information, bring attention to the experiences of affected communities, and contribute to informed public dialogue. At the same time, reporting on these issues requires sensitivity, professionalism, and a strong understanding of the rights and dignity of children.”

Mr Salvaggio added that Canada remained committed to supporting international efforts to protect children affected by armed conflict and to advance the principles reflected in the Vancouver Principles.

The Canadian diplomat said that prevention, partnership, and knowledge-sharing were essential to building safer and more resilient communities. He urged the workshop participants to strengthen their understanding, share expertise, and explore how reporting could contribute to protecting children and to supporting broader peace and security efforts.

The envoy said that the knowledge, networks, and insights gained at the workshop had the potential to extend and contribute to meaningful change in communities across Nigeria.

The country representative of Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security in Nigeria, Offiong Nsa, said that journalists were not merely reporters of conflicts. According to her, journalists are powerful human rights defenders who advocate ethical, child-centred reporting, exposing the hidden recruitment networks and the realities of children in armed violence.

She tasked journalists advocating for children’s rights with drawing governments’ attention to the need for action.

(NAN)