Press Council issues revised guidelines for media to report on HIV or AIDS

[Guest guest]

PCI issues revised guidelines for media to report on HIV or AIDS

Punjab Newsline Network/ Monday, 07 March 2011

CHANDIGARH:Press Council of India has issued revised guidelines for media

regarding reporting on HIV or AIDS which will help not only media persons, but

even enable the health service providers and the affected section to interact

with media person reporting on the issue.

While stating this here today, a spokesman of Haryana Government said that the

Press Council of India in pursuance of Juvenile Court of Thiruvananthapuram and

in collaboration with UNAIDS and the activist in the field, including population

foundation of India and centre for advocacy and research, has updated the

guidelines on reporting of HIV or AIDS which the mediapersons might consider

while doing specific stories on the subject. These guidelines are equally

relevant to print as well as electronic media.

The revised guidelines state that the journalists must ensure that their story

is objective, factual and sensitive, more so when they are reporting on HIV or

AIDS. They should seek truth and report it in a balanced manner. The journalists

should hold all decision makers accountable, from Government to the

pharmaceutical industry and advocacy groups.

While reporting on HIV and AIDS, the journalists should be careful to get

scientific and statistical information right. They must integrate this with

correct terminology. They should also ensure that photographs do not breach the

confidentiality or privacy of infected people and their families.The media

should not promote myths related to prevention and transmission of HIV or to

claims that advertise protection from infection.Nor should it give any credence

to traditional cures that have no scientific verification.

The media should avoid discrimination about caste, gender or sexual orientation,

when reporting HIV and AIDS. Such references entrench existing prejudices

against sexual minorities, certain communities or groups already targeted, be

they men who have sex with men ,injecting drug users, sex workers or migrants.

The media should ensure sensitivity on child related stories, balanced and

responsible coverage. Apart from ensuring regular training on HIV and AIDS for

media, existing stylebook or guidelines on HIV and AIDS reportage should also be

adopted.The foucs should be on facts. Distortion of facts in any manner to make

the story salacious and therefore `more saleable' is unacceptable.

Special attention must be paid by the news desk and newsroom staff to ensure

that the eye-catching headlines reflect the issue accurately to make the story

balanced and free of damaging stereotypes.

While taking photographs, the camera should be kept away from focusing directly

on the face of person or case study. Instead, the media should shoot hands, feet

or back of the head. They may shoot in silhouette and keep the camera behind the

subject. Hidden cameras should never be used. They should try to show people

living with HIV in a positive light by portraying them as individuals instead of

victims.

Whenever possible, they should obtain a written consent. Even with permission,

it would be best not to disclose the identity of the infected person. If written

consent is not possible, informed consent must be obtained. This means ensuring

that people living with HIV and AIDS are aware of the implications of their

identification.

Journalists must remain abreast of the changing realities of this fast evolving

infection. News organizations across the country must actively encourage

training workshops and modules on the issue. They should also keep themselves

updated on court judgments' related to the issue.

The media must guard against gender stereotyping. Besides, the identity of

children infected and affected by HIV should not be revealed. Nor should their

photographs be shown. This includes orphans and children living in orphanages

and juvenile homes

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