Download - Media and HIV/AIDS
Media and HIV/AIDS
Anso Thom, Health-e News Service, South Africa
Examples of coverage specifically related to gay and lesbian issues
“The new plague/leprosy: Homos in a panic”
Visitor: How did you get Aids?Patient: A “poefadder” bit me
Puff adder= snakePoef=derogatory term for a gay man
Extraordinary disease
- Our response as the media- Responsibility/role of the media- Individual responsibility- Voice of the poor, vulnerable- Influence public debate, policy, public
discourse- Need to challenge the wrongs- ‘War’ correspondent
Criticism from civil society/community groups
• Disproportionate vulnerability of vulnerable groups – little understanding
• Result? Sensational, overly simplistic representation of issues
• Link between human rights violations and HIV vulnerability - criminalisation
• Fail to draw opinion from organisations working with vulnerable groups
• Invisible group – stereotype• Sexual behaviour in prisons – moralistic undertones?• Lack of positive stories
Marathon runner
• Baby steps• Follow-ups• Going back• Keeping the story alive – role of community
organisations/civil society• Time to get to grips• Dedication• Not a job
Approach at Health-e
• Deciding on a story – what triggers it?AccessRole playersAffected partiesSense of needing to get voices heardInforming/educating the publicInjusticeNobody else prepared to dedicated time
and resources
Health-e
• Big focus = Service delivery in public sector• Asking specifically how vulnerable populations
catered for• Shame that need a parallel service – are they getting
such a service?• Prevention messaging as important as access to
treatment – is it targeted?• Accountability
Human dimension• Critical part• Complex• Our responsibility• Scoop mentality• Once-off story• Follow-up• Respect• Language• Confidentiality
Photographs/Visuals
• Understanding• Respect• Making the best decision for the subject
Developing relationships• Long term• Commitment• Dedicating time• Getting the story right• Responsibility of journalist operating within a
complex environment/topic• Getting journalist to understand why they should
care• Strong civil society• Checking facts
Problem areas
• Allowing the moralistic, dangerous voices to be heard
• No pressure in terms of asking questions from researchers (research uncomfortable, complex)
• Holding funders accountable• Laws don’t change people’s attitudes – Going
the distance• Overwhelmed
Developing relationships• Research – Releasing complex data which could
reinforce prejudice• Packaging the information you share carefully• Always available• Painting the broader picture – impact on the broader
community• Commitment to educate• SA vs rest of the continent – Possible avenues• Not lump all three vulnerable communities together
Tapping into the media
• Letters to the editor• Opinion pages• Electronic media especially radio• Web – using outside media to create
consciousness around what happening in other countries
• Newspapers – M&G• Good story will always be told