Journalists receive skills in HIV reporting

About 60 journalists yesterday completed a two-day training on how to report on the HIV/ Aids pandemic.The training aimed at empowering media practitioners with the skills to report about the disease without prejudice.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

About 60 journalists yesterday completed a two-day training on how to report on the HIV/ Aids pandemic.

The training aimed at empowering media practitioners with the skills to report about the disease without prejudice.

"There is a difference between having the HIV virus and having Aids. One leads to the other, so this is important to note when reporting cases of that nature,” clarified one of the trainers, Dr. Sabin Habimana, who is attached to the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC).

Another trainer, Dr Sylvie Sargueil called on the reporters to produce content that is attractive to the readers.

During the training, practitioners held open discussions on their role in fighting HIV and weaknesses in reporting as well as best approaches to interview people living with HIV.

One participant, David Amani Rugamba, who represented Umucyo Community Radio, said that the workshop will help improve his reporting style.

"We have benefited because we not only got general knowledge about the disease, but also how best we can report on it,” he said

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