Many media researchers doubt the role of the mainstream media as genuinerninstrument of communication for the poor. The dictates of market mechanism and therninterests of economic and political powers are counted as major factors that obstructrnthe duty of the media in serving the real needs of the society at large.rnThe standards of news reporting that are rooted in commercial and professionalrnjournalism are regarded as instruments that marginalize important social issues suchrnas HIV/AIDS. The craving of the media for prominence and to be authoritativernsources tends to deny voice to ordinary citizens who constitute the largest portion ofrnthe society. To address the communication needs of the society at grassroots levelrnscholars emphasize the significance of alternative media.rnIn order to test the validity of the doubt regarding the mainstream media andrnthe significance attached to alternative media this study investigated two mainstreamrnnewspapers Addis Zemen and medical as well as an alternative newspaper Libona.rnThe main research questions of the study inquire whether the two conventional papersrnmarginalize HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS. The significance ofrnLibona in HIV/AIDS coverage was also examined.rnThe study employed content analysis, which included identifying materials onrnHIV/AIDS, genres, specific themes, types of news and information sources. Threerncoders, who participated in doing the job, were in agreement on 87 percent of theirrncoding.rn8rnThe findings indicated that the sample issues of Addis Zemen devoted 2.41 perrncent of their total area to materials on HIV/AIDS. Sports and entertainment covered arnwider space. The paper is biased to wards authoritative sources. These groupsrnconstituted 71.3 percent of the sources. PLWHA and ordinary citizens representedrnonly 7.7 and 9 per cent respectively. They appeared to be marginalized. Sample issuesrnof Medical newspaper devoted 4.95 per cent to HIV/AIDS. The sources are 67.3 perrncent professionals and scientists. Out of 19 HIV/AIDS stories printed in 13 issuesrnonly two were local. The papers coverage of the issue appeared to be inadequate inrnterms of quantity and quality.rnLibona, which is fully devoted to HIV/AIDS, promotes Dawn of HopernEthiopia Association and PLWHA. It reflects the perspectives of ordinary people.rnHorizontal and bottom communication appears real in the paper. However thernparticipation of PLWHA in expressing views in Libona is motivated by financialrnrewards. The paper is supported by donors funding. Inability to sustain itself shadowsrnits significance in HIV/AIDS communication.rnLibona, as an alternative newspaper, could play more significant role if itrnencourage free participation of PLWHA in communication. Addis Zemen andrnMedical should improve their coverage of HIV/AIDS by entertaining the ideas ofrnordinary citizens and PLWHA. Their reporting on the issue should reflect thernseriousness of pandemic.