It all Started with
the Press….
T
wo words which should be laden in In truth, the Start the Press report acts as a
the press with attributes of courage, wake-up call for every journalist and press
hope, understanding and tolerance are photographer, pointing out how they bear
HIV and AIDS, but instead these two words a great responsibility as to which words
are regularly loaded with negativity. or photograph they chose to use when
reporting, bearing in mind the all too often
It is the media who, on a global scale, has negative ramifi cations. The media should be
been the biggest contributor in deepening aware at all times that its reporting has the
and maintaining this negative perception in power to build bridges of understanding,
the minds of its voyeurs. hope, tolerance, and - literally - save lives,
or to encourage destructive attitudes of
Over twenty years after the virus was stigmatisation and rejection in the minds of
identifi ed as being responsible for the many.
breakdown in the immune system of many
who suffered with a variety of illnesses, Neil Gerrard MP, Chair of the All-Party
and eventually, death, one wonders why Parliamentary Group on AIDS, said during
the media is still wasting precious space in the launch of the report that “HIV has no
trying to fi nd out how and where it all started, boundaries. It affects us all. It is therefore,
who is truly responsible for spreading it and Neil Gerrard MP, Chair of the All-Party crucial that we tackle HIV stigma, which
how one may unwittingly ‘catch the virus’.
Parliamentary Group on AIDS
impacts on the lives of people living with
The news also unfailingly bombards us with
stigmatisation.
HIV and prevents people from coming
astronomical numbers of parents condemned forward to test. The media can play a vital
to an early death, leaving behind even bigger
The Start the Press report explains that “
role in presenting accurate information about
numbers of orphaned children. The accepted
stigma limits access to health services by
HIV and challenging any discrimination
perception has over the years also shifted
silencing discussions about taboo issues that
against people living with HIV.”
from a disease affecting mostly homosexuals
are integral to HIV vulnerability - such as
to a disease in Africa.
race, poverty, gender relations, sexuality and
The ultimate success of the Start the Press
drug abuse. Stigma reveals itself not only in
campaign will materialize but only if the
A report entitled Start the Press, which
issues that are scandalously sensationalized,
mainstream media were to join the ethnic
was recently launched by the African HIV
or reported on inaccurately, but also in what
press and become a genuine part of the
Policy Network (AHPN), Panos London
is left unsaid and voices that are not heard.
positive reporting on any HIV and AIDS
and the Thomson Foundation, argues that
It is both that which is talked about, as
issues. Words make or break people’s lives.
the media could make a difference in the
well as that which is silenced and why, that
Members of the press should therefore aim to
lives of many African migrants reluctant to
fuel this vicious cycle linking stigma and
become members of the ‘construction team’
come forward for testing or accessing heath
marginalisation.”
and surrender their frequent membership to
services. However, these very migrants, the ‘demolition crew.’
who are obviously perceived to be at greater
The Start the Press Report also includes an
risk than most, are hesitant to come forward
analysis made by Sigma Research on stigma
By our staff writer
P
because of the fear of being stigmatized and
and discrimination experienced by gay men
discriminated against.
and African people living with HIV in the
For more information contact:
UK. The study argues that ‘specifi cally in

The media’s column space and airtime would
www.ahnp.org
relation to African migrants, HIV-related
AHPN advocates for fairer policies for African
be better spent in reporting positively about
stigma reinforces racist perceptions by people living with HIV in the UK.
people living with HIV, in any communities,
situating black African people as hyper-
in order to reverse the negative slant. The
www.panos.org.uk
sexualised, irresponsible and infectious
Panos London is part of a global not-for-profi t
media needs to give a voice to people living
people who pose a threat to the public health network that promotes the participation of poor and
with HIV; they need to listen to their stories,
and the stability of the health care system in
marginalised people in international development
accurately report the challenges they are
debates through media and communication
the UK.’ The analysis also found that ‘black
facing on a daily basis, as well as their success
projects.
Africans in particular face great disincentives
stories. This would defi nitely open the mind
to be open about HIV in society in general,
www.thomsonfoundation.org.uk
of the general public to the realities on the
The Thomson Foundation is an international media
and within African networks in particular,
other side of the HIV, with the added benefi t
for development NGO, which thrives to improve
because disclosure could result in rejection communication around the world.
of helping and supporting people living
from an important (and possibly sole) source
with HIV in their daily struggle against
of support in the UK.’
www.thepromota.co.uk THEPROMOTA | 19
ppromotamagazine_issue12.indd isabelle corrected.indd 19romotamagazine_issue12.indd isabelle corrected.indd 19 330/11/2007 21:46:530/11/2007 21:46:53
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