Click here to sign up for our mailing list to keep up-to-date with the latest Twinning Center news and activities!

View Recent Newsletters

People in Botswana often receive inaccurate information about HIV/AIDS through the media because reporters lack basic knowledge about the virus and have limited access to reputable sources and evidence-based resources. This inaccurate information fosters stigma and does little to stem the spread of HIV.

Partners at the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) in Gaborone and the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) in Lusaka are working to change this through a targeted effort to improve the quality, quantity, and scope of HIV/AIDS reporting in Botswana.

With the overall objective of increasing public awareness of HIV/AIDS and its impact on all sectors of society, this south-south partnership is providing skills-based journalism training for reporters and editors, as well as timely, accurate, issue-based information on HIV/AIDS. They are also working to disseminate best practices in HIV/AIDS reporting to media outlets throughout the country.

Based on a needs assessment and situational analysis of HIV/AIDS reporting in Botswana conducted at the onset of their collaboration, partners produced a report, which they disseminated to representatives of media outlets during a symposium in November 2007.

They have conducted two trainings for journalists titled “Media Fatigue and Stigma in Botswana: Changing Hearts, Minds, and Behaviors.” Topics covered during the workshops included stigma and HIV/AIDS fatigue among reporters and editors. Partners also produced a publication, “Inspiring HIV and AIDS Reporting in Africa,” which was distributed to participants at the 2008 Highway Africa conference in South Africa.

Upcoming activities for this partnership include conducting an assessment of Botswana NGOs to determine their media relations needs. Partners are also focusing on the development of a media monitoring and evaluation toolkit for journalists.

Updated June 5, 2009