Media urged to avoid stigma in GBV, health reports

Media professionals have been urged to refrain from employing discriminatory language, imagery, and narratives when covering matters related to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence. This call was made by Omodele Ejeh, the Executive Director of the Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation, during a media roundtable held in Ago, Lagos State.

Ejeh emphasized that the organization recognized the significant impact journalists can have on shaping public perception and understanding of sensitive issues, especially in the domains of sexual and reproductive health and rights. The meeting served as a follow-up to a training session conducted in February 2026, focused on providing evidence-based and rights-based reporting.

Ejeh stressed that journalists possess a crucial role akin to that of prophets, as they shape the narrative for ordinary people. She highlighted the importance of training media personnel and collaborating with them to ensure responsible reporting based on accurate data. Ejeh encouraged journalists to improve the quality of their reports and enhance their presence on social media platforms, given the increased prevalence of citizen bloggers and the consequent surge in information available to the public.

She advocated for the use of social media as a means to furnish precise information and counteract misleading narratives, rather than solely relying on bloggers, who sometimes produce misleading content.

To this end, Ejeh disclosed that IRISE had conducted a baseline study involving 100 media houses to assess the current state of reporting on sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as gender-based violence. The study analyzed various aspects, including the tone of reports, sources of information, data accuracy, and the presence of stigmatizing language or imagery.

They found instances where the factual accuracy of reports was compromised by the accompanying visuals, which sometimes conveyed contradictory or harmful messages. For instance, when discussing contraceptives, a picture of a heavily pregnant woman with the foetus visible was deemed stigmatizing, as it contradicted the factual content of the report.

Furthermore, Ejeh expressed concern over the publishing of reports devoid of thoughtful consideration of the implications of the language and narratives employed. She cautioned that journalists' personal perspectives might inadvertently influence the framing of sensitive stories, potentially leading to biased portrayals. Referring to the culture of silence surrounding sexual abuse, particularly cases involving incest and abuse by close family members, she underscored the urgent need to support survivors rather than silencing them.

Ejeh emphasized that maintaining silence on such cases allows perpetrators to operate with impunity, and thus, society has a responsibility to punish offenders while ensuring that survivors are believed and provided with necessary support.