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

Health-e News Servicewww.health-e.org.za

+27-21-6838099editor@health-e.org.za