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U.S. Embassy Awards Zambian Media Personalities For Hiv/Aids Coverage

U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Carmen Martinez on Thursday, November 30, presented awards to two Zambian media personalities and a TV studio for their work in covering HIV/AIDS in the past year. During an award ceremony, jointly held with the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia 2006 Media Freedom Awards, at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel, Ambassador Martinez said: “I salute all of the journalists in Zambia, and around the world, who are using their gifts and their influence to help mount the fight against HIV/AIDS. It’s a difficult fight, and at times it seems overwhelming but it’s a fight that can and must be won.”

The awards, now in their fifth year, are meant to recognize the important role of journalists in helping fight HIV/AIDS. Those that received awards are: Print category: Dr. Mannasseh Phiri, a retired medical doctor who now writes a column “Reflecting on AIDS” for The Post (Sunday Post) newspaper; Television: Yatsani TV Studio; and Radio: Joseph Nyirenda of Radio Icengelo in Kitwe. Each of the winners received a K2, 000, 000 cash prize and a plaque.

There were a total of 28 entries in the print, radio and television categories. There was no entry in the photojournalism entry. Entries were judged according to their effectiveness in helping combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia. Preference was given to articles, photos, and broadcast programming which, in the opinion of the judges, succeeded in significantly promoting public education on HIV/AIDS-related issues.

Themes of particular interest for the contest include: fighting stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS; promoting a more open discussion of the disease and its prevention; informing public attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS; persuading Zambians of the benefits of knowing their HIV/AIDS status; and presenting clear information on how to use the knowledge of one’s HIV/AIDS status to live a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Judges comprised a panel of eminent journalists: Edem Djokotoe, Executive Director of Primus Media (chairman); Amos Chanda, News Editor, Zambia Daily Mail and Vice-President of Press Association of Zambia; Elizabeth Chanda, Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Zambia; Pamela Chama, Director, Primus Media and Ridgeway Liwena, Media Consultant and Chairman of the Society of Senior Zambian Journalists. Sipo Kapumba, Information and Research Officer at MISA-Zambia acted as secretary.
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