Lolano P. Khuvung
People living with HIV/AIDS already suffer considerably from the stigma, prejudices, misconceptions and fears surrounding the syndrome. Therefore, while reporting news about them, it is important that one remember to keep in check personal biases, utilize appropriate languages and ensure that it helps in portraying a positive attitude about HIV/AIDS.
While HIV/AIDS has huge social and emotional ramifications, it has aspects that are intensely technical. Thus it is important to not only try and understand the technical issues involved, but also to ensure that the information conveyed through news report is not technically flawed.
Appropriate language in the context of reporting in HIV/AIDS should-
• be constructive
• avoid sensationalism of all kinds
• not fuel stereotypes
• not cause prejudice or fuel stigma
• be suitable to the audience
• be non-judgmental and non-discriminatory
The guidelines below outline some key principles to adhere to in striving to attain high ethical standards in reporting on HIV/AIDS. They include adaptations from materials developed by a host of journalists and institution, including Franz Krüger and the African Women’s Media Centre.
ACCURACY
• get scientific and statistical information Right
• check facts
• ask about sources of statistics and their reliability
• use credible sources to verify facts and interpret information
• reflect tentativeness of research if it is not conclusive evidence
• write stories in context and
• tell a complete story, not just one side or one part of a story
BALANCE
• give due weight to the story
• cover all aspects including medical, social, political and economic and
• highlight positive stories where appropriate without underplaying the seriousness of HIV/AIDS
SHOW THE HUMAN FACE OF THE EPIDEMIC
• ensure that the voices and the images of the people living with and affected with HIV/AIDS are heard and seen and
• take care that the voices heard are diverse, and include those of women and men and vulnerable and marginalized people
EMPOWER, DON’T VICTIMISE
• people living with HIV/AIDS should not be stereotyped as irresponsible, as it is often untrue
• classifying some as ‘innocent’ means classifying others as ‘guilty’ and
• people living with HIV/AIDS are not victims and therefore portraying them as victims assumes that they are helpless and unable to make their own decision, which is false
AVOID FUELING STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION
• particular care should be taken not to use language or images that reinforce stereotypes and
• identify behavior that puts one at risk rather than the type of person that may be at higher risk
SENSATIONALISM
• report the facts and don’t just dwell on the negative
• avoid morbid and sensational language specially in headlines and
• remember that HIV/AIDS and its contexts are not entertainment
DEALING WITH CHILDREN
• children experience the most extreme consequences of the epidemic and their rights to privacy should be afforded even greater protection
• children often do not realize that they have the right to refuse to be interviewed or identified
• they should only be identified if the public interest is overwhelming and only if no harm to them is foreseeable
• seek the informed consent of the children as well as their parents or guardians
• children have the right to participate in decisions affecting their lives and
• they also have the right to be heard and Journalists should ensure that their concerns are covered
RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS
• vulnerable people should be treated with particular care
• clearly identify yourself as a media person
• seek explicit permission before using someone’s name, story or image
• the purpose of the interview or photographs and the context in which these may be utilized should be stated
• seek to understand the possible consequences for individuals who participate in your report and ensure that they too are clear about the consequences
• promises of confidentiality must always be honoured
MISCONCEPTIONS
• claims of cures or treatments should be reported with due care and
• look at all stories critically
ACCOUNTABILITY
• be prepared to defend your decisions.
Reporting should not reinforce a ‘them/us’ mentality, where people with HIV/AIDS are seen as a separate species, a problem to be dealt with. Society needs to understand that everyone is affected in one way or another.
HIV/AIDS is a story of critical importance and audiences deserve full, clear and intelligent coverage. Journalists should cover it with imagination and initiative and commit themselves to the highest ethical standards.
A DIPR Feature
Source- ‘Media Manual India 2005’
