Re: Gere controversy - AIDS Awareness event

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

Re: /message/7196

I agree with Dr.Nair, completely on this issue. Its sad the way at times Media

uses its power to deviate from the main subject. I think and strongly recommend

to take up this issue with Media fraternity, sensitize them and work actively

with them to highlight the success points of HIV programming.

May be " Mr. Gere's issue " should be taken as an eye opener. Its a lesson learnt

for all of us as it personify the gap in our programme strategy. All our

programming is geared to work with the affected and infected communities. We

should also, with the same commitment work with Media professionals, and

sensitize them to the various aspects of HIV to ensure proper reporting in

future. They have the power to influence attitude and behaviours. So may be the

onus is on us for not effectively mobilizing them.

I think they can be our partner and can be the agents of social change. They

can, may help us to change the face of the HIV program in India.

Lets work with them.

Regards

Anu Puri

e-mail: <purianu@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear Forum,

Re: /message/7196

Whatever has happened on the issue is simply because media is ruled by market.

The more eye balls a news item gets the plenty advertisements it pulls, so who

cares for the core issue?

The problem is of course the low sensitivity levels of media persons writing

about HIV issue, but the larger question is that who decides what will be aired

or printed? A number of training and sensitization programmes have been

supported by several national and international agencies so that the fourth

pillar of our democracy supports its most marginalized communities, but how can

we ensure that the outcome would be what we had expected? There is a huge gap

between the one who writes and the one who edits finally. Are we reaching out to

them?

Sincere efforts are needed to put pressure on the right people in media.

People writing in this forum must raise their serious objection on such misuse

of media power. It should be as loud as the depiction of ‘Gere issue’.

In solidarity

Jyoti Awasthi

e-mail: <Jyoti.Awasthi@...>