Reporting on HIV/AIDS

Newsletter n°17/09.09.05
SOUTH AFRICA: Edutainment - an efficient way to inform about AIDS
7 out of 10 South Africans are familiar with the TV and radio shows produced by Soul City, a non-governmental organisation, with the aim of raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. Through entertainment, the organisation has found a way of reaching the masses.

Newsletter n°17/09.09.05
ZAMBIA: Looking for new ways to report on AIDS
In a country where articles on AIDS do not sell, a new magazine tries to show another way of reporting on the disease. "The Advocate" tries to show Zambians that AIDS does not necessarily kill, and what kind of treatments exist.

Newsletter n°17/09.09.05
NIGERIA: Battling stereotypes one test at a time
A roundtable in Nigeria takes an unconventional approach to training journalists in AIDS reporting, and how to better understand the disease they cover.

Newsletter n°17/09.09.05
BOTSWANA: Newspapers struggle on many levels in their AIDS reporting
Botswana has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV/AIDS. The role of the media in the combat against the disease evokes strong feelings among both media professionals and health workers.

Newsletter n° 26/
28.07.2003
Journalists Need Tools to Fight AIDS-Related Media Fatigue in South Africa
"The greatest challenge facing journalists who report on HIV/AIDS lies in media fatigue," said Richard Delate, Manager of Journ-AIDS, in an interview with RAP 21. "There is nothing really ’sexy’ about this epidemic besides the fact that it involves sex and death. It does not contain the striking images of war, it does not unfold rapidly such as the SARS virus did in Asia. The challenge now becomes how to redefine the story so as to reawaken editors and audiences."

Newsletter n° 26/
28.07.2003
AIDS Reporting Improving in Nigeria, Study Reveals
According to a study conducted by Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS), Nigerian newspapers and magazines report more responsibly and more thoroughly about HIV/AIDS now than they have in the past. However, certain aspects of HIV/AIDS coverage in Nigeria still need improvement.

Newsletter n° 26/
28.07.2003
One Article at a Time: Egyptian Media Work to De-stigmatise AIDS
In April 2003 a story appeared in the "Cairo Times" that highlighted the need for frank discussion about HIV/AIDS in Egypt. The article, entitled "Running a Silent Risk", uncovered troubling misconceptions about the disease and exposed the stigma attached to those infected with HIV in Egypt.

Newsletter n° 26/
28.07.2003
Kenyan AIDS Comic Strip A Smash Hit
A comic strip that deals with HIV/AIDS in Kenya proves that entertainment and education can be combined. The overwhelming popularity of Radio soap opera "Ushikwapo Shikamana" (If Assisted, Assist Yourself) has led to the development of a spin-off comic strip, which reinforces the health and social messages provided in the soap opera. RAP 21 spoke to Dr. Kimani Njogu, the man behind the radio and print soap operas, on the expansion of this creative strategy to approach the difficult subject of HIV/AIDS and breaking down the barriers to open discussion about the disease.

Newsletter n° 90
HIV, Alternative Press & Corruption
The International Women’s Media Foundation published a manual - Reporting on HIV/AIDS: A Resource Guide - as a tool for media professionals to use in improving and increasing their coverage of HIV/AIDS in Africa. It provides guidelines and tips for reporters based on the advice of experienced journalists from Africa and other regions of the world, who shared their expertise in interviews, publications, and online workshops.