The influence of AIDS Today radio.

The Panos Institute produces a range of information materials for media nongovernmental organizations and policymakers in developing countries which are designed to facilitate and encourage national debate on how to respond to HIV/AIDS. The materials include news features media briefing documents and a regular radio program "AIDS Today". AIDS Today is a 15-minute program produced on tape which is disseminated to approximately 80 radio stations worldwide mainly in sub-Saharan Africa the Caribbean and the Pacific. Produced in English and funded by the European Commission AIDS Today is designed to fulfill the following objectives: to stimulate public debate in countries upon the implications of HIV/AIDS and upon the strategies being used to fight the disease; to provide audiences in developing countries with imaginative and relevant analysis of HIV/AIDS issues in an international context; to provide an international outlet for journalists in developing countries who are reporting and investigating HIV/AIDS issues in their countries; and to build the capacity of developing country radio journalists to report upon HIV/AIDS issues in their countries. The capacity-building activities are perhaps the most important elements of the AIDS Today project. Programs can either be purchased from Panos or they are available at no cost to radio stations in developing countries.