CHILD ONLINE AFRICA and AF ACADEMY have announced a collaborative effort to train Ghanaian journalists about online safety for vulnerable groups.

The training for some selected journalists from media houses in Ghana is expected to take place this year.

The objectives of the training are:

1. To enlighten journalists on the rights of the child online.
2. To equip journalists with latest advocacy skills for vulnerable people online.
3. To highlight the need for child protection online.

According to the two organizations, protection online for vulnerable groups like children is critical in an era where digitalization has become a powerful aspect of human activities globally.

Article 17 of the UNCRC says children and young people should be able to access information, particularly from the media.

They should be able to get information from many places— from their country and beyond. This Article applies to all kinds of media, including:

-print media― such as newspapers or magazines

-electronic media― such as websites

-audiovisual media― such as radio and television programmes.

Child protection seeks to guarantee the right of all children to a life free from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect in both emergency and non-emergency settings.

In a statement of partnership the two organization said “It is important that all the actors engaged in child protection including journalists uphold the minimum child protection standards in order to satisfy the 3Ps of child Rights namely Protection, Provision Participation in the digital era.”

The two organizations believe that “it is important Child Protection reportage gets the media to adhere to the guidelines for protecting children from abuses”.

About AF ACADEMY: AF ACADEMY is a pan-African media development organization focused on training of journalists on the best practices of their profession. Its mother company is Africa Feeds Media Limited, a Pan-African digital publishing media brand.

About Child Online Africa: Child Online Africa (COA) formally called J Initiative is a child research and advocacy based non-governmental organization that campaigns for/ with children and young people and their families to influence policies and change practices that affect child well-Being in Ghana and Africa.

For More information: Email@childonlineafrica.org

Facebook; @ Child Online Africa

Twitter: @COnlineafrica