By JOAN Yakub |
Olayide Akanni, Executive Director, Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS), has disclosed that the COVID-19 pandemic has eroded the consciousness of people to HIV/AIDS infection which has led to an increase in the number of positive cases over time.
Olayide Akanni disclosed this while speaking to journalists during a media training for young journalists on ‘Basics of HIV reporting’.
They have been training journalists to report on HIV for more awareness because HIV is not yet over.
She said in the context of COVID-19, “HIV has been left aside, people are no longer conscious of it like before, people hardly go for check-up or get tested”
Akanni added that, “there are still lots of stigma associated with HIV and AIDS.
She went further to mention some limiting barriers, such as cultural barriers, organisations not offering employment to people living with HIV and limited focus on prevention.
She also urged journalists to report more on HIV.
One of the facilitators, Lekan Otunfodunrin, Executive Director, Media Career Development Network, said journalists should ensure to report stories from with empathy.
He added that, “reports should be based on facts and findings to make the story credible.
Share this
