By Adama Makasuba
At least14 local journalists drawn from the newspapers, online, radios, and televisions are currently undergoing a three days training program on women and children reporting at the FIFA Goal Project Complex, Yundum.
The UN children agency, UNICEF, sponsored project seeks to help promote responsible reporting. The programme is implemented by the Child Protection and Alliance and Ministry of Women and Children.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the programme on Wednesday, Honorable Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Information and Communication, said: “at the policy level our Ministry is currently reviewing the information and communication Act of 2009 to look at the child pornography issues in a more robust manner.”
He continued that “to look at abuses on the internet targeting young people. To look at bullying using ICT and whole other things that will ensure safer environment for young people to realise their potential in this country,” he added.
The Unicef Country representative, Louis Jonathan, assured of making an lasting solution to the media houses present.
“Let me underscore that it is our collective responsibility to protect every child, everywhere, from harm and the risk of violence, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination,” he said.
He noted that children views “must always be taken into account” and that “it is also our responsibility to make sure that children are not mere spectators when we discuss issues that affect them.”
Lamin Fatty, National Coordinator Child Protection Alliance thanked the participating journalists and said: “it gives us a sense of assurance that the future of children and women in this country is a brighter one.”
Representing the Minister of Women and Children, Harriet Bass, described training of the media practitioners as significance.
“The setting up of the guild with trained journalists will promote more responsible reporting on children and women,” she said.
She however said: “children and women’s rights are often violated in mainstream media (both traditional and digital) – due to gaps in the professional capacity of journalists.”
Ms Bass said the training will greatly help to improve in reporting about most “disadvantage and vulnerable children to influence public opinion and nature child and women-friendly social norms and values.”