A research study of media response to HIV/AIDS in Nigeria in the year 2002 has revealed a steady increase in the quality of coverage and understanding of key issues by journalists. The study also found high levels of sensational reporting and common use of inappropriate and stigmatising by newspaper reporters. The preliminary findings of the study, covering print media reporting on the epidemic between March and December 2002, was presented at a ceremony marking the 2002 Red Ribbon Awards on HIVAIDS, held at the NiteShift Coliseum, Ikeja in Lagos on March 8, 2003.