Communicating for Change (CFC) last week hosted an informative broadcaster’s forum tailored to further partnership with the media in helping to fight the HIV/AIDS scourge, and also to launch an award winning series, Bayelsan Silhouettes, to Nigerian broadcasters.
The forum themed: ‘The Role of the Media in Reducing the Spread of HIV and AIDS among Nigeria’s Youth,’ saw a stimulating discussion among broadcasters and stakeholders present. It was advised that the media be cautious about their choice of language and desist from using derogatory terminologies in reference to HIV/AIDS.
Bayelsan Silhouettes is a series of seven Nollywood style film dramas set in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, and an interactive website that are both designed to be appealing and educative, to help empower youth audiences on issues bordering on HIV/AIDS.
Mrs. Sandra Obiago, executive director, CFC said: “After numerous discussions with people in the Delta – ranging from health professionals, school teachers, secondary school and university students, community leaders, and government officials working in the health and media sectors; we became convinced that films that address important health challenges with a focus on HIV/AIDS would be both relevant and vital in ensuring the health and viability of the people of the Niger Delta.”
According to her, “the importance of the media in bringing about sustainable developmental change is a belief that is at the very core CFC, informing all of our activities and projects. CFC believes that the messages contained in film, radio and print publications can help to encourage audiences towards positive social change, whilst also providing fun and exciting entertainment, aptly demonstrated by films such as the Bayelsan Silhouettes series.”
“Today’s broadcast forum looks at the role of the media in reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS among Nigeria’s youth, to show that with culturally appropriate programming, broadcasters can help spread awareness and ultimately help to tackle its spread,” Obiago added.
Likewise, Dr. Babatunde Fakunle, manager, Shell Regional Community Health, said: “By hosting this forum and partnering with the media, CFC is providing Nigerian broadcast stations with an excellent opportunity to come together to discuss how they can use their privileged position to educate their audiences on HIV and AIDS, specifically targeting youth,” adding “I hope that today’s launch of Bayelsan Silhouettes and the complimentary copies made available will ensure that the films are widely screened so that the message of health protection and HIV and AIDS awareness is able to reach a wide local and national audience.”
Bayelsan Silhouettes was written and inspired by young people in the Niger delta region and the films provide an excellent tool that can be used to educate viewers nationwide on the need to make informed choices to protect their health. The film and website were the results of a three-year project, including an in-depth research element where CFC visited the Niger delta to engage with local youth to determine their knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards HIV/AIDS, as well as understand their media consumption habits.
The project was sponsored and developed in partnership with the Health Team of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
