The National AIDS Commission (NAC) wishes to announce the kick-off of the Red Ribbon Media Award competition, having commenced from 01 June and running up to 12 November 2010. This is an award of excellence that will recognize and reward journalists who have displayed exceptional skills in reporting HIV and AIDS Prevention issues.

The competition is essentially an HIV and AIDS Prevention Media Campaign which will culminate into the Red Ribbon Media Award to the best news article or Radio/TV programme. Red Ribbon Media Award is an award of excellence that encourages broad and comprehensive reporting amongst journalists on HIV and AIDS issues.

The aim of the award is to recognize media professionals for giving an exceptional contribution to society by writing, reporting and producing programmes on HIV and AIDS in a manner that raises awareness, combats stigma and gives hope to people living with HIV and AIDS. Most importantly, it aims for reporting that has potential to influence positive behaviour change.

Journalists will compete by reporting on issues of HIV PREVENTION, with particular focus on behaviour change. At the end of the competition, media houses will submit to the National AIDS Commission their best published programmes or articles for evaluation and selection of the winning entry.

The award features three categories of Print, Television and Radio and media practitioners are expected to submit the best of their work published or broadcast during the stipulated period. Journalists are advised that print articles to be submitted should be between 1300 to 1500 words while for radio and television snippets should not be more than 30 minutes long.

Each of the three winners will be awarded M10, 000.00 and a certificate of appreciation for contributing positively to the national response to HIV and AIDS.

The prevention thematic area is broad covering amongst others issues of Behavioural Change Communication, HIV Testing and Counselling, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission, Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Condom Use, Blood Tissue Safety as well as Post Exposure Prophylaxis.

The Red Ribbon Award is a global initiative and it serves to encourage positive reporting amongst media houses to further disseminate information and educate people about HIV and AIDS. Prevention theme was chosen due to its vitality in further reducing the spread of HIV and AIDS in Lesotho.