Institut Panos Paris (IPP) has published a detailed qualitative and quantitative, of the coverage of HIV and AIDS by the media in  three countries of the Great Lakes region, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – where the conflicts, of yesterday and today, have contributed and continue to contribute widely to its exponential development. As a result of this exercise three national reports and one regional report (synthesising the findings of the three national reports) has been produced.

Less than one percent of information in the Congolese, Rwandan and Burundian media deals with HIV-AIDS. The purpose of this media monitoring study is to encourage journalists to cover questions associated with HIV-AIDS in a professional, regular and appropriate way. The conclusions of the study show that, qualitatively and quantitatively, information around the theme of AIDS is insufficient, inadequate and poorly documented.

The public presentation of the report was an opportunity to invite the main public players concerned and to formulate proposals and recommendations to improve the media coverage of HIV-AIDS.