World AIDS Day 2007 Media Workshop
The second edition of this ACHAP sponsored initiative was held on November 6th and 7th in Gaborone. In order to strengthen existing partnerships or develop new ones ACHAP joined forces with BOTUSA to provide financial and technical support for the 2007 edition. ACHAP committed P92 000 and BOTUSA P50 000 for the project. The main objective of this workshop was to share ideas that would stimulate the production of articles that will be part of an 8 page supplement to be published in selected Botswana media to commemorate World AIDS Day 2007 as well as to continue initiatives that enhance the quality of reporting about HIV/AIDS in Botswana. To achieve this, reporters present were given the opportunity to discuss HIV/AIDS related issues with His Excellency the President, Mr Festus Gontebanye Mogae who delivered the key note address and fielded questions from the audience. Also present were Honourable, Mrs Pelomoni Venson-Moitoi, Minister of Communications, Science and Technology, Her Excellency Mrs Katherine Canavan, US Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Chris Molomo, Coordinator NACA, and Mr Modise Maphanyane, Director MISA Botswana. Finally reporters were also invited to attend a live feed video conference at the US Embassy with Dr Thomas Kenyon, Deputy Global AIDS Coordinator from the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator Washington D.C. and Dr Luke Nkinsi, ACHAP Board Chairperson.
The World AIDS Day partnership with the media began last year with the production of the supplement following the 2006 workshop with the distribution of 80 000 copies in the World AIDS Day editions of four Botswana newspapers.
This year distribution will increase to 170 000 copies inserted in 10 newspapers including the Daily News. Furthermore, in addition to the print media, the broadcast media was also involved and produced reports which were aired on their respective outlets.
