‘Media Instrumental to Success in Fight Against HIV/AIDS'

November 28, 2005

From Chuka Odittah in Abuja

Chairman of the National Action Committee on Aids(NACA), Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin has said that for Nigeria to record success in the campaign against further spread of HIV/AIDS, the media must begin to play more pro-active roles in mass education of the populace.

Osotimehin made the disclosure, weekend, while speaking at the third edition of Nigeria Media Owners and Top Executives Summit on HIV/AIDS workshop organized for media owners and top executives in Abuja.

Prof. Osotimehin stated that all over the world the media is recognized as major agenda setters because of their professional training and wide network of  audience.
He said that responsibilities of enlightening the public on dangers, sources of infection, statistics and other vital information about the HIV/AIDS pandemic lies with the media, whom he described as gatekeepers of information.

The NACA boss said although the media has contributed immensely to raising level of consciousness of vast majority of people , there is still the need to improve on that performance to undertaking research  based reportage and follow up documentaries.

He explained that rather than adopt a back position in the fight against AIDS media organisations should serve as depository of sort on the disease ,adding that the media is a link to different partners in the campaign against the disease.

He noted that agencies and organizations involved in control of HIV/AIDS should involve the media in programme conceptualization for effective partnership.

Media co-ordinator, internews local voices project, Anslem Okolo said there is the need for government to reduce tarrif on importation of materials used for information dissemination to reduce cost on production as well as accelerate part played by media at any given time. He later said that there was the need for increased collaboration between health reporters, editors and non-governmental organization to enhance focus.