One example of such an EC-supported programme is found in the Comoros, an Indian Ocean island republic. In 1992, public awareness of HIV/AIDS was very low. There were very few AIDS cases, little government attention for the epidemic, and reservations by the country's religious leaders about publicly addressing HIV/AIDS. The National AIDS Programme undertook a series of HIV/AIDS awareness actions, focusing mainly on mobilizing youth and women leaders.

Radio is the only medium reaching large sections of the population: 80% of adults and 65% of young people (1525 years) are regular listeners. There is no national TV channel and the printed press is limited to a French weekly magazine. A series of 20 radio programmes on HIV/AIDS was therefore conceived by two journalists of the national radio channel. Two programmes were broadcast every other week as part of the second-most popular weekly radio programme Santé (Health), in the evening at prime time, with repeat airing on Sunday mornings.

 A second series of 11 programmes along similar lines was broadcast in 1994-95, not only by Radio Comores but also by two private radio stations popular among youth. Surveys and listener reactions showed the programmes were highly popular:

They were the main source of information on HIV/AIDS; when conducted in the local language, they were particularly successful in reaching rural communities.

The majority of villagers want this type of radio information on HIV/AIDS and other health subjects to continue.

Public information on sexuality is accepted by the large majority.

The radio series further contributed significantly to an initiative among Islamic religious leaders to discuss HIV prevention, including condom use. Testimonies by people affected by HIV/AIDS was an important element in convincing audiences of the reality of AIDS.

Another EC-supported radio project took place in Morocco in 1993. It comprised a three-month national information campaign on HIV/AIDS that addressed topics such as myths and rumours related to HIV/AIDS, infection risks through unprotected anal intercourse (a practice relevant for heterosexual HIV transmission in Morocco), prevention measures, what HIV/AIDS mean for women and youth, the epidemic's socio-economic impact and the roles of NGOs and the media. Each Thursday evening a 60-minute programme was broadcast in Arabic and repeated on Sunday mornings for 24 weeks. In addition, 12 30-minute programmes were broadcast in three Berber dialects. Several times daily short spots on HIV/AIDS were also aired.

The programme format was largely based on presentations and discussions by health staff, psychologists, sociologists and NGO staff; listeners also participated. Audience reactions were analysed through a questionnaire survey among some 1000 men and 700 women and roadside interviews with listeners in some cities. It showed that programme messages were generally well understood. Many listeners were critical about neglect of this subject by TV and they wanted more such information through the media.