In an era where clickbait headlines often trump journalistic integrity, Plan International Ghana is calling on media professionals to adopt more ethical reporting practices, particularly when covering vulnerable groups like children and girls.
“The moment you begin to blame the victim, you’re cutting off the most important information that would help tell the truth about the story,” said Eric Ayaba, Head of Programmes at Plan International Ghana, in his opening remarks during a media training session.
The three-day training, themed “Reporting Responsibly on Children, Gender Equality and Vulnerable Communities”, aimed to promote ethical reporting and address issues like sensationalism and stereotyping.
“We see some media people covering vulnerable groups by falling into the trap of sensationalism,” Mr. Ayaba noted, emphasising that such practices limit the opportunity to fully explore important issues.
The training covered essential skills like child-centred reporting, community engagement, and identifying real-life story ideas, aiming to equip journalists with the tools needed to report responsibly.
