The journalists' training included one day of theoretical work and a second day for practical activities comprising browsing of websites of relevant organisations in the fields of HIV/AIDS, sexuality, and reproductive health. Practical sessions were also conducted on computer analysis using a number of software for graphics, charts, graphs and other illustrations. The participants were drawn from print, electronic media, and international news agencies.

HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health, Sexual Rights.

Participants noted that issues related to sexuality education, sexual violence/coercion, female genital mutilation, abortion, maternal mortality, among others, are hardly reported in an in-depth manner in the media. One of the outcomes of the series of training workshops is the development of a guide for journalists and communication professionals on computer-assisted reporting (CAR).

The workshops are part of a series of strategies to promote e-journalism and equip journalists with the necessary skills to advance the course of key development issues in Nigeria. Another set of complementary training workshops for NGOs aimed at enhancing partnerships between the media and NGOs is being implemented in the three geographical zones of Nigeria (South West, North, and East).

MRAC is a project of Development Communications (Devcoms) Network and Surulere Lagos Nigeria, a health communication NGO dedicated to public understanding of science-related issues and participation in health and development. The training activities that it has organised are components of a one-year initiative, Approaches to Media Partnership in Reproductive Health and Rights Promotion in Nigeria, that forges partnerships through the sharing of ideas and materials that can further enhance public discourse on topical development issues, especially those that are threats to public health. The project utilises photographs and video and audio recordings as part of a comprehensive, multi-layered presentation of the links between HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and sexual rights in Nigeria. Activities being implemented under the initiative include the Continuous Education Series for journalists, 60 of whom, this year, have so far participated in MRAC seminars, trainings, and forums on reproductive health and sexual rights issues; publication of the Bulletin Series Unreported Development: News & Features on reproductive health and sexual rights issues for use by journalists; and production of a media guide on HIV/AIDS. These activities are aimed at bringing to the fore, through the fostering of in-depth reporting, development issues related to population, reproductive health, and sexual rights.