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 also conducted a training for journalists titled “Media Fatigue and Stigma in Botswana: Changing Hearts, Minds, and Behaviors.” Topics covered during the event included stigma and HIV/AIDS fatigue among reporters and editors.
Over the next year, partners will develop additional modules to enhance their journalist training program and conduct a “Best Practices in Quality HIV and AIDS Reporting” workshop at the Highway Africa conference in South Africa.
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