IMPHAL, March 26 (Newmai News Network): To update the guidelines on HIV/AIDS reporting by the print and electronic media, a “One day sensitisation for working journalists on HIV/AIDS” was organised at the conference hall of Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) today.
The sensitisation programme was attended by about 15 journalists of the state. The participants discussed the difficulties faced in reporting on HIV/AIDS, and recommended that a PRO be appointed for MACS, who can be contacted whenever necessary. The discussion was moderated by senior journalist Y. Rupachandra.
The deputy director of MACS, RK Rosy presented a summary of preferred terminology and errors to avoid, and discussed the guidelines for the media while reporting on HIV/AIDS, as the matter has undergone a sea of change in the last few years.
The guidelines included ensuring that the report is objective, factual, sensitive and balanced. Right scientific and statistical information must be integrated with correct terminology, which must be appropriate and non-stigmatising. The guidelines advised the media not to promote myths related to prevention and transmission of HIV, claims that advertise protection from the infection, or to traditional cures that have no scientific verification. Care should be taken to ensure that photographs do not breach the confidentiality or privacy of infected people and their families, and references to caste, gender or sexual orientation is to be avoided when reporting HIV and AIDS, advised the guidelines.
The guidelines advised the media to guard against gender stereotyping, and stigmatizing HIV positive women. Instead, stories should explore how the infection makes women particularly vulnerable to different forms of exploitation, to focus on how it is possible to live a productive and reasonably normal life with HIV, about the inherent strength that enables women to shoulder challenges, about the ethical and legal rights of sex workers, on the new technology and medication available for prevention of infection from mother to child and the fact that infected women can have children who may be free of the infection.
Journalists must keep abreast of the changing realities of this fast-evolving infection by keeping themselves updated on court judgements related to the issue. HIV is no longer just a health issue and people at all levels of the news organization should be trained and sensitized on the various dimensions, especially terminology of HIV and AIDS, advised the guidelines on HIV/AIDS reporting.