Ethical Media Reporting  on Exploitative Child Domestic Work Launched

Ayodeji Ake

As part of efforts aimed at telling authentic stories of child domestic work (CDW), members of Street Project Foundation (SPF)recently launched a media alliance where ethical reporting and data are taken into cognisance.

The Founder, Street Project Foundation (SPF), Mrs Rita Ezenwa- Okoro, described the ethical media reporting manual as a tool to help save a child and shape culture.

To the media professionals, she added: “You have the power to make the invisible visible, to hold the powerful accountable, to change laws and protect the most vulnerable children in our society.”

In her welcome remarks at the launch, Chief Operating Officer, SPF,  Eduvielawhe Olutimayin, noted that the press has power and should serve as agent of change. According to her,  the gate keeper and agenda setting power without direction is just noise. 

Olutimayin explained that  “Every news story on CDW must end with a question answered — not only “What happened?” but “What should we do about it?” Use that power carefully. Use it truthfully. Use it with children’s dignity and their future at the centre of every decision.”

Olutimayin also acknowledged partners and survivors.

On his part, Head of Programmes,  CeCe Yara Child Advocacy Centre, Mr Damilola Adenusi, noted that CDW is widespread but largely hidden because it takes place inside private homes.

According to him,  many CDWs face excessive working hours, interrupted education, isolation and different forms of abuse and exploitation.

 He added the media determines how the public understands the issue.

Adenusi said:”Social responsibility reporting can expose hidden exploitation, influence attitudes, drive policy action and encourage  intervention. Poor reporting, however, can identify a child, retraumatise them, sensationalise abuse or reinforce harmful stereotypes.”

The consultative workshop sponsored by the Freedom Fund a gift of the US Department of State, brought together media practitioners and child-protection stakeholders, survivors, frontliners and others to examine how child domestic work is currently reported and what needs to change.

A major outcome was the need for practical guidance on interviewing children, protecting identities, using appropriate language and images, avoiding sensationalism, obtaining informed consent and ensuring that storytelling does not expose children to further harm.

The Ethical Reporting Guidelines were developed as a practical tool to translate those workshop conversations into everyday media practice.