Mangaluru: A two-day training workshop for journalists from across Karnataka on issues concerning children for the year 2026–27 was inaugurated at the Sanidhya Auditorium of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) on March 24. The programme was jointly organised by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Mysore, UNICEF Hyderabad, and the Department of Media Studies at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University).

The workshop is centred on the theme, “Child Health and Nutrition: Non-Communicable Diseases, Healthy Diet Practices, and Road Safety,” aiming to strengthen journalists’ capacity to report sensitively and effectively on child-related issues.

Importance of adolescent health highlighted

Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Prasun Sen, Advocacy and Partnerships Head (Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka) at UNICEF, stressed the importance of adolescent health in preventing long-term diseases. He noted that many non-communicable diseases can be avoided during adolescence through timely awareness and early intervention.

He emphasised the vital role journalists play in shaping public opinion and spreading awareness about key issues affecting children. According to him, the media can act as a bridge between policymakers and the public, ensuring that critical information reaches families and communities.

Sen also underlined the need to guide children on issues such as malnutrition, mental health concerns, and lifestyle-related disorders. He pointed out that strengthening health education at the school level, promoting hygiene and personal cleanliness, and encouraging balanced diets are essential measures to improve child health outcomes.

Further, he highlighted the importance of ensuring access to healthcare services and immunisation programmes. He stated that the holistic well-being of children can be achieved only through the collective efforts of parents, teachers, healthcare providers, and society at large.

Focus on child rights and legal awareness

Resource person Dr. Vasudeva Sharma N.V. from the Child Rights Trust spoke on the significance of child rights and responsible reporting. He mentioned that several workshops are being conducted in collaboration with UNICEF to build the capacity of journalists in covering child-related issues with sensitivity and accuracy.

He elaborated that every child has the fundamental right to education, healthcare, and a safe environment. Stressing the importance of legal awareness, he highlighted the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and its role in safeguarding children from abuse.

Dr. Sharma expressed concern over the increasing involvement of children in criminal activities and called for collective societal efforts to address the root causes of such issues. He also pointed out that practices like child labour and child marriage still persist in certain regions, despite legal prohibitions.

He emphasised that eliminating these social issues requires both strict enforcement of laws and a change in societal attitudes. Journalists, he said, must report such matters responsibly and ethically to raise awareness without causing harm or stigma to the children involved.

Health, nutrition and lifestyle diseases discussed

Dr. Sridhar, Health Specialist at UNICEF, delivered a detailed session on child health and nutrition. He highlighted the importance of a balanced diet in ensuring the physical and mental development of children.

According to him, children’s daily meals should include adequate nutrients such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains. He stressed that healthy dietary habits established at an early age can significantly reduce the risk of developing non-communicable diseases later in life.

Speaking about diabetes, Dr. Sridhar explained the different types, particularly Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. He noted that Type 1 diabetes is more common among children and is largely influenced by genetic factors, where the condition may be inherited.

He also discussed various diagnostic methods, including fasting blood sugar tests, postprandial tests, and HbA1c tests, highlighting their role in early detection and effective management of diabetes.

He further emphasised that promoting a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and proper dietary practices, is key to preventing several lifestyle-related diseases among children.

Participation from across Karnataka

Journalists from various districts, including Hassan, Shivamogga, Mangaluru, Kodagu, Mulki, and Vijayapura, actively participated in the workshop. The training provided a platform for knowledge sharing and discussions on the challenges and responsibilities involved in reporting on child-related issues.

The organisers expressed hope that such initiatives would strengthen media engagement in promoting child welfare and contribute to creating a more informed and responsible society.

Conclusion

The workshop underscored the critical role of journalism in advocating for child rights and promoting awareness on health and nutrition. By equipping journalists with the necessary knowledge and perspective, the initiative aims to ensure that issues affecting children are reported with accuracy, empathy, and responsibility, ultimately contributing to the betterment of society.