The Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS has released a communique issued after successfully hosting a-2 day training workshop on HIV/AIDS awareness, reporting and communication for media practitioners in Oyo State.
The training workshop was held at Access to Basic Care Foundation (ABC Foundation) at Adeoyo, Ring Road in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State to equip media practitioners in the state and beyond with information and skills on the effective HIV/AIDS awareness, reporting and communication.
The workshop witnessed paper presentations accompanied by interactive question, answer and comment sessions including a plenary session on emerging issues/real life stories and effective ways to report HIV/AIDS and other related matters that was moderated by the workshop facilitator/resource persons, Hon. Obatunde Oladapo, Mrs. Olusola Jimoh, Ms. Olayide Akanni and Mr. Fred Adegboye.
The communiqué reads:
A – 2 day Training workshop on HIV/AIDS awareness on reporting and communication for Media Practitioners in Oyo State was organized by Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS between Thursday 11th and 12th October, 2018 at ABC Medical Care Lecture Theatre Ring Road, Ibadan.
At the End of the training workshop participants resolved:
That people living with HIV should not be discriminated against but rather accommodate with empathy.
That journalist should always choose right words while reporting HIV related stories especially broadcast journalists (indigenous).
That mass media must not use sensational stories which are against the ethics of journalism.
That member of the public should avoid stigmatizing people living with HIV.
That media practitioner should help educate people that testing HIV positive does not mean end of life as there are other ailments killing faster than HIV.
That erring journalists should be made to face sanctions(s) over misrepresentation of facts on HIV related stories by NUJ Ethics and disciplinary committee.
That OYSACA should work with film producers on how best to incorporate Mr. Fredrick Adegboye in home theater or film to tell people that hope is not lost for people living with HIV.
That Media houses editors, reporters and producers should give priority attention to HIV/AIDS related stories with passion.
That member of the public should always go for HIV test to know their status as early detection helps to provide success.
That Journalists should not be emotionally carried away while dealing with HIV/AIDS related stories and be sure that justice is done to all sides of the story.
That OYSACA should at least organize quarterly Media briefings on HIV/AIDS for better education of the people.
Participants commended Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, OYSACA and other relevant NGOs on the training workshop, saying they were better enlightened and educated.
That Journalists should add into their stories content that will away give hope to people living with HIV.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
