Media guide on HIV/Aids reporting launched

Making a PowerPoint presentation on the Guide, Solomon Watkins, AAMIN's deputy director and program officer said, the Guide aims to serve as quick reference document for media practitioners to strengthen their capacity for accurate, balanced and credible HIV and AIDS reporting.

The Media Guide, he noted consists of three chapters with focus on: HIV Epidemic, response in Liberia and the Role of the Media in the National HIV Response respectively and Strategies for Effective Media Engagement.

PUL Secretary General, Danicius Kaihenneh-Sengbeh officially launched the Guide on Thursday April 23, 2015, at the Corina Hotel in Monrovia attended by more than 30 representatives from the UN System, government, network of people living with HIV and coalition of key affected populations, as well as journalists in the country.

The PUL Secretary General called on journalists to utilise the guide in response to HIV and AIDS prevention by exhibiting professionalism. "Throughout my practice of journalism in Liberia, I haven't understood that we have an HIV media reporting guide. The guide is a great effort towards eliminating HIV in Liberia. Make maximum use of this media guide to help reduce stigma and discrimination," Sengbeh urged.

He further called on partners in the sector to increase support for additional printing of the media guide, sponsoring annual media awards for journalists, and see the media as partners in every areas of development.

Earlier, Dr. Betru Woldesemayat, UNAIDS' Country Director also called on the media to use the guide in strengthening efforts in reporting HIV and AIDS. He described the media as a key partner to HIV and AIDS eradication. "I am happy to be a part of this occasion, launching Liberia's first HIV Media Guide for Liberian journalists and media practitioners. You have a pivotal role. I encourage you to do your job judicially. Keep remaining ethical and professional," the UNAIDS Country Director noted.

For her part, Juanita Ramirez, NAC commissioner on partnership said the media has been supportive to the works of the commission and partners in the national HIV response.

However, she said there is still lot more to do to have Liberia meet its share of global target of zero HIV infection, deaths and discrimination.

"With this Guide we are hoping you can do more than what you've been doing in response to HIV prevention, demand for PMTCT services utilisation and support services for people living with HIV and key populations," Commissioner Ramirez averred.

Giving vote of thanks, Necus Andrews, Executive Director of AAMIN acknowledged efforts of all partners, including PUL, UNAIDS, UNICEF, NAC, NACP, network of people living with HIV, key and affected populations and health practitioners, who made significant contributions, leading to the development of the HIV and AIDS Guide for journalists.

"We thank you, all of our partners, most especially, the UNAIDS family under the leadership of Dr. Woldesemayat. We have been receiving support from the UNAIDS but under Dr. Woldesemayat administration, we have received significant support, ranking from financial aid to technical supports," Mr. Andrews noted.