Media a crucial partner in HIV and AIDS struggle

Media a crucial partner in HIV and AIDS struggle

WINDHOEK, Namibia, 29 November 2015 / PRN Africa / -- The stories that media choose to share with the public have an impact in decision-making according to United States of America (USA) Ambassador Earl Miller. Miller made this observation during the official opening of the New Directions seminar in Serowe, Botswana, on October 26, 2015. He appreciated the power of media in informing the nation on matters affecting citizens where Gender Based Violence (GBV), Female Sex Workers, transgender relationships and other human rights issues are some of the stories told by media. These and others are targeted by New Directions in Global Health, an initiative by the US government partnering with District Multi Sectoral AIDS Committee (DMSAC) in effort to fight HIV and AIDS in Botswana.




To highlight the media aspect to this battle, the US Government also partnered with MISA Botswana. During his presentation on the two-day seminar, MISA Botswana Director, Buyani Zongwani highlighted how the media incorporates HIV and AIDS issues in their story telling, challenges faced by the media and solutions to the very challenges. These challenges include, lack of training on the subject, lack of access to information and lack of resources within media houses. A media panel discussion composed of practising journalists shared experiences encountered on daily assignments. One of the panelists, Archie Mokoka, a journalist from the Voice Newspaper stated that stories do not necessarily bring profit to media houses, and so it would be great if health sectors could sponsor spaces for health coverage for survival of newspapers. He lamented that officials sometimes view the media not as a partner but enemy, where often for their story interviews no one is willing to give them information. Lindiwe Mazola, a reporter with Mmegi newspaper, shared with the whole house that when journalists request for an interview, they already have the story, all they need is a confirmation and so she encouraged the attendants that it is best to give their side of story. She also informed participants that journalists work on tight timelines; hence interviewees should give information promptly.




It is not always easy for journalists to write stories on HIV and AIDS. The media code of ethics and journalist code of conduct on HIV and AIDS reporting must be abided by. Even though the media is working hard to inform the nation about HIV and AIDS related issues there are some flaws within the media in covering such issues. A research report by MISA Botswana and Genderlinks on media coverage of HIV and AIDS, has shown that many stories in the media lacked accuracy and that males formed the greater number of sources for GBV, far more so than women who were often the victims of GBV.




MISA Botswana believes the enactment of freedom of information Act will commit officials to give out information upon receipt of a request. The act has the potential to solve the information deficiency, as it will be mandatory for organisations to act on requests. He applauded New Directions initiative for including the media as it forms part of training to journalists.




New Directions in Global Health in Serowe was the sixth seminar held in Botswana. The seminars are aimed at creating a dialogue with the media and district stakeholders outside of Gaborone on the successes and best practices of US government -funded health initiatives, programs and research, and to influence key policy makers at the district level to increase commitment in the response to HIV and AIDS.


SOURCE Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)


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