Journalists urged to observe ethics while reporting on adolescent health
Media practitioners have been implored to observe high standards of ethics while reporting on issues concerning adolescent health.
Speaking during a workshop four journalists, the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Youth Forum’s team leader, Patrick Mwesigye said that Uganda being one of the youngest countries in the world with over 30% of its population between the ages of 10 to 24 years, it is imperative that the health and well-being of this age bracket is put at the centre of all national strategies.
“While reporting about adolescent health, the stories should meet the basic ethics and human rights values. The adolescents are challenged by various health issues such as HIV /AIDS, STIs and teenage pregnancies but we need to ensure they are protected so they can benefit the country,”Mwesigye said.
He explained that adolescence is a key life stage during which young people learn more about themselves, acquire new skills, form an identity and establish themselves but also have a fundamental right to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health as well as access to relevant care.
According to Mwesigye, by educating and reducing stigma around sexual and reproductive health, young people can live without fear, make smart decisions for themselves and work towards their dreams.
“There is need for the media to internalise, conceptualise and also master correct and effective reporting to address adolescent related challenges. Why would a newspaper publish a story of an adolescent defiled and they indicate the name, village, school and parents?”
“Journalists should have a human element while doing stories about adolescent health,”Mwesigye said.
Dr Betty Kyadondo, director of Family Health at the National Population Council said that their main focus now is reduction of teenage pregnancy and the large number of dependents that are not working.
“We need to invest in youths so they can be of benefit to other age groups because they form the biggest percentage of the population,”Dr.Kyadondo said.
She explained that on average, a rural adolescent girl gets pregnant at 16 years yet those in urban areas get pregnant when they are a little older. We need to see how to lower the fertility rate. There is need for promotion of family planning and the media should come in handy to help us here.”
The Health Journalism Network Uganda(HEJNU) president, Esther Nakkazzi urged media practitioners to always be passionate about the issues they are reporting and that way, they can be able to articulate issues well.
The media café about adolescent health was organized by Health Journalism Network Uganda, a body that brings together reporting health and science.
