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Bakayoko Zéguéla, Kadja Brasin and the moderator during the conference (Photo: Yacouba Soro/US Embassy)

Lusaka AIDS Conference Participants Share Experience with Ivorian Journalists

Two well-known and experienced Ivorian journalists, Bakayoko Zéguéla and Kadja Brasin, participated last November in an All-Africa PEPFAR Conference held in Lusaka, Zambia. The conference, intended for media personalities and newspaper editors, focused on how they could help the general public have a better understanding of HIV/AIDS issues in their countries and what they can do to encourage correct, consistent, and in-depth reporting on AIDS. It was such a stimulating and satisfying experience, the two Ivorian participants wanted to share their newly acquired knowledge and skills with others.

On April 4, the American Cultural Center hosted a “Lusaka Conference Review and Briefing” for them to talk with reporters from both public and private Ivorian media.  The morning program was moderated by the President of the Ivorian Rural Radio Association, Assi Christophe.  

The Lusaka participants started the session with power point presentations, one on the achievements of the Lusaka Conference, and another on dealing with the impediments to effective coverage of HIV/AIDS – general ignorance, sensational reporting about the disease, the social stigma attached to the malady. 

They then discussed the need to find new approaches to reporting on AIDS, suggesting the Ivorian media could highlight sports heroes and cultural celebrities who are able to live with the disease and succeed in their métiers.  Reporting that will lessen fear of the disease and create hope among their readers and listeners.