IRISE Nigeria: Urges End to Media GBV Reporting Stigma

• Omodele Ejeh, Executive Director of IRISE, urged Nigerian journalists to avoid stigmatizing language and images when reporting on sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence.
• The call was made at a media roundtable in Ago, Lagos State, following a February 2026 training on evidence-based and rights-based reporting.
• A baseline study by IRISE of 100 media houses found instances where accurate text was undermined by contradictory and stigmatizing visuals, such as a contraceptive report with a pregnant woman's image.
• Ejeh emphasized the media's role in shaping public opinion and called for journalists to improve report quality and increase professional visibility on social media to counter misinformation.
• The Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation (IRISE) partners with media to ensure ethical data sourcing and evidence-based reporting on sensitive issues.

The profound influence of media on public perception, particularly concerning sensitive subjects like sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, necessitates a commitment to ethical and non-stigmatizing reporting.

Journalists and media professionals in Nigeria have received a strong appeal to cease the use of stigmatizing language, imagery, and narratives when covering issues related to sexual and reproductive health, as well as gender-based violence (GBV). This critical call was issued by Omodele Ejeh, who serves as the Executive Director of the Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation (IRISE). The appeal was made during a media roundtable event organized by IRISE, which took place on a Thursday in Ago, Lagos State.

The roundtable served as a follow-up to a specialized media training session held in February 2026, which focused on evidence-based and rights-based reporting practices. Ejeh, who also coordinates the global anti-GBV movement One Billion Rising in Nigeria, underscored the significant role media plays in shaping public opinion and influencing societal understanding of sensitive topics, particularly those concerning sexual and reproductive health and rights. She emphasized that media organizations are crucial in determining how ordinary people perceive and interpret these complex issues.

IRISE actively collaborates with media personnel, providing training on how to ethically source data and consistently utilize evidence to inform their reporting. This partnership aims to enhance the quality of journalistic output. Ejeh urged journalists to elevate the standard of their reports and increase their professional presence on social media platforms. This push comes in response to the proliferation of citizen bloggers, which has led to a significant increase in the volume of information available to the public, often without professional oversight. She stressed the importance of professional judgment in shaping the media landscape, especially given the diverse content found on social media today.

Prior to the February 2026 training, IRISE conducted a comprehensive baseline study involving 100 media houses to evaluate existing reporting practices concerning sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as gender-based violence. The research meticulously examined various aspects of media coverage, including the overall tone of reports, the credibility and origin of information and data sources, and crucially, the presence of any stigmatizing language or visuals.

The study revealed concerning instances where the written content of a report might be factually accurate, yet the accompanying visual elements conveyed a contradictory and potentially harmful message. Omodele Ejeh highlighted a specific example involving a report on contraceptives. While the text provided accurate information, the accompanying photograph depicted a heavily pregnant woman with a visible fetus. Ejeh pointed out the inherent contradiction, noting that discussing contraceptives while showing an image of a baby in the womb could confuse readers and foster negative perceptions about contraceptive use.

Such incongruent visuals, Ejeh explained, could lead to misinterpretation, particularly among readers who lack extensive knowledge of the subject matter. She illustrated this by suggesting that a layperson might mistakenly infer that the reported drugs were intended to affect an existing pregnancy, rather than prevent one. This underscores the critical need for responsible journalism GBV Nigeria, ensuring that both text and imagery align to provide clear, accurate, and non-stigmatizing information.

Omodele Ejeh advocated for journalists to actively utilize social media platforms to disseminate accurate information and effectively counter misleading narratives, rather than ceding the digital space entirely to bloggers. She expressed a desire to see more visible media representatives engaging on social media, thereby preventing the spread of inaccuracies often perpetuated by less informed online commentators. This emphasis on professional engagement aligns with the broader goal of improving media ethics Nigeria and upholding high sexual reproductive health media standards.

The profound influence of media on public perception, particularly concerning sensitive subjects like sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence, necessitates a commitment to ethical and non-stigmatizing reporting. IRISE's efforts aim to ensure that media coverage contributes positively to public understanding and does not inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes or misinformation. By focusing on evidence-based and rights-based reporting, the Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation seeks to empower media outlets to fulfill their vital role responsibly, fostering a more informed and empathetic society regarding these critical human rights issues.

Lawyers advising media clients in Nigeria should be aware of these recommendations from IRISE regarding ethical reporting on GBV and sexual health to mitigate reputational risks and ensure compliance with evolving journalistic best practices. Compliance officers in media organizations should review internal guidelines to prevent stigmatizing content and potential public backlash.

Source: Reporting based on a media roundtable.