Media
Media development action with informed and engaged societies
Media
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Media Resource Desk (MRD)

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The Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service (SAfAIDS) collaborated with the Southern Africa Editor’s Forum and UNAIDS: The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to create a Media Resource Desk (MRD), which is an effort to expand access to accurate and relevant HIV/AIDS information for media professionals. Designed for journalists from both print and electronic media who have a mandate to report on HIV/AIDS (as well as other relevant media practitioners such as editors, media institutions and media students), the MRD aims to:
  • improve access to information on HIV/AIDS through the use of fact sheets, newsflashes, resource desk material, and the internet
  • improve HIV/AIDS knowledge among journalists in the southern African region
  • improve coverage of HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa.
Communication Strategies

The MRD uses information and communication technologies (ICTs) as a central tool for positioning itself as a focal point for any inquiries on HIV/AIDS information by the media, as well as a gateway for SAfAIDS to channel HIV/AIDS information to the media. The goal is to use technology to build a "one-stop shop" for journalists and other media practitioners seeking to access information on HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and mitigation.

Specifically, the MRD is an effort to provide journalists with fact sheets, weekly newsflashes on the latest HIV/AIDS developments and trends, up-to-date statistics and vocabulary for accurate reporting, a complete database of media practitioners in the region, and a wide collection of materials related to HIV/AIDS and the media. Email-based discussion forums are meant to inspire interaction and follow-up connection. Statistics relating to HIV and AIDS, information on key HIV and AIDS events, and media briefs on topical issues (e.g., related to prevention, care and support and other topical HIV/AIDS-related issues) are available here as well. To access these online materials, visit the MRD website.

The MRD desk staff's services are accessed through walk-in, telephone, fax, and email. Pre-arranged email discussions with experts provide journalists with the opportunity to ask questions and receive instant answers on given topics.

Development Issues

HIV/AIDS.

Key Points

The aims of the MRD are:

  • to bridge the HIV/AIDS information gap that exists among journalists and other media practitioners.
  • to attend to the information needs of journalists on a full time basis by making appropriately packaged, ready to use information products and resources available.
  • to provide a quick and efficient service to journalists.
Partners

Southern Africa Editor’s Forum (SAEF), Media Action Plan (MAP), Gender Links (GL), Gender and Media Southern African (GEMSA) Network, Media Monitoring Project, Panos, SAfAIDS, UNAIDS.

Sources

Soul Beat Africa attended the launch of the HIV, AIDS and Gender Baseline Study in Johannesburg May 3 2006.