Influence of ‘Media’ in the lives of AIDS

affected people

Influence of ‘Media’ in

the lives of HIV/AIDS affected people

How well has media played its role in making the lives of AIDS affected people better, by removing the social stigma attached to them and by giving proper awareness to the public?

OVERVIEW: On HIV/AIDS Myths/ Truth Media’s interpretation – Before and After Case history Video on AIDS awareness New Media Theory IFJ Code of Ethics Language importance Journalist’s knowledge on AIDS Effects of Campaigns Results Conclusion

What is HIV/AIDS? HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus

AIDS – Acute Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Four Stages 1) Primary 2)

Asymptomatic 3) Symptomatic

4) AIDS

MODES OF TRANSMISSION

TRUTH MYTH1. Through bodily fluids

1. By touching

2. IV Drug use 2. By eating in the same plate

3. Sex 3. Sitting together

4. Mother to baby 4. By mingling with the affected people

Vague reports and images created fear among people

BEFORE : The affected people were isolated just because the people were not aware of what exactly is this syndrome called AIDS, reasons, the way of transmission etc…

Myths, beliefs and misconceptions

All these lead to many suicide cases and many were admitted in mental asylums because of the stigma and torture that they had to face from their family and from the society.

LATER :

Media took up the role of spreading awareness

The New Media Theory for the coverage of AIDS & HIV related news:CONNECTCOLLABORATECREATE ENGAGE

Media held campaigns Sex/AIDS-education for School and College students Special code of ethics for the coverage of AIDS related news implemented

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

IFJ released a Media Guide for Print/Visual/Radio/Internet journalists. They are entitled to follow the instructions in the media guide while covering any stories related to HIV/AIDS

Excerpts from the IFJ Media Guide:

If a person agrees to be identified, a journalist should ensure that they are aware of the potential consequences. Confidentiality Common stereotypes Avoid derogatory/discriminatory languages

USE DON’T USE

1. HIV infection/ HIV Positive/Person with HIV

1. AIDS if the intention is to refer to HIV

2. HIV or AIDS 2. HIV virus or AIDS virus

3. Person living with AIDS/HIV 3. AIDS/HIV victim or HIV/AIDS sufferer

4. Affected communities, high-risk behavior (unsafe sex,sharing needles)

4. High- risk group

5. Person who injects drugs, people who inject drugs illicitly,injecting drug user

5. Junkie, drug-addict

6. Person living with HIV/AIDS or HIV+ person

6. AIDS patient

7. Sex worker 7. Prostitute

Importance of language:

RESULTS:

Greater difference in people’s perception and approach towards the affected people Observation of AIDS day also created a difference

Courtesy : IFJ Research Report

Be wary of miracle cures: journalists must be especially careful to promote scientifically proven and factual information regarding prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. This article, which appeared in the Filipino press during the monitoring period, has the potential to cause distress and harm to people living with HIV/AIDS. It reported that “…taking garlic in capsule or tablet form three times a day or taken in its raw form can protect one from common cold, flu, and other diseases including HIV…” which is untrue.

in association with Stanford University started doing campaign with celebrities like Shabana Azmi, Shruthi Hassan, Nagarjuna, Anne Firth, Mahesh Bhatt, Amol Palekar

This created a drastic change in the society- more number of unaffected people started working for the betterment of the affected people.

Trying ‘Alternative story lines’:There are many stories on HIV beyond the overwhelming statistics that often dominate AIDS reporting. Tell the story of how someone lives with HIV, the effect on their school or local village.

Explore how governments are coping, or not coping, with HIV

Report on the programs being run by NGOs and churches. The inventive ways that many communities

pass on prevention messages makes great copy and takes the story to another level.

WHAT NEXT?

When WE (Media) can do a lot for them, why wait? Lets bring them up and help them to LIVE…!!

REMEMBER!It can happen to anyone including YOU! So let us wake up from our slumber and open the doors of good lives for them and call ourselves ‘Media’ with pride!

24/3/2011 Vandana Rajan