Working journalists have been described as formidable players in the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS, and therefore have an important role to play in efforts to end its prevalence by 2030.
The statement was made by the North Eastern Zonal Coordinator of the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (NACA), Tobias John, during a one-day intensive training for selected journalists in Bauchi, organized in collaboration with the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (BACATMA).
Tobias John highlighted the crucial roles journalists can play in the fight through programmes, direct news reporting and other media engagements focused on the various aspects of the virus, status testing, treatment and prevention support.
The one-day training was titled “Engaging the media in business sustainability of the HIV campaign.”
According to him, media organizations and professionals have a vital role to play in the ongoing campaign against HIV/AIDS and were urged to fully support the crusade.
He emphasized that the media remains one of the most powerful tools for shaping public perception and influencing behavioral change, especially on health-related issues such as HIV/AIDS.
“Consistent and accurate reporting can help dispel myths and misconceptions around HIV, which often contribute to stigma and discrimination,” she said.
The NACA Zonal Coordinator further encouraged journalists to use their platforms to promote messages of hope, prevention and treatment compliance.
Tobias John also called on faith and community leaders to collaborate with the media to educate people about the importance of knowing their HIV status, as part of efforts to reduce the spread of the virus.
He highlighted that collaboration between stakeholders would strengthen the collective response to HIV and ensure that no community is left behind.
The NACA Coordinator further urged development partners and civil society organizations to continue supporting media-driven advocacy campaigns, noting that sustained funding and technical assistance are essential to achieving national goals on the control and eventual eradication of HIV.
Some of the journalists who participated in the training described the event as an eye-opener.
They congratulated NACA for organizing the workshop and noted that it would help improve their reporting on health and social development issues.
Participants included print and broadcast media professionals operating in Bauchi State.
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