HIV and the media

Media reporting What do we mean by the media? What types of media do you use? What are some good things about the media? Is everything we read in the media always true? Do the media have a responsibility to ensure fair and accurate reporting? Do you know any examples of when the media has said something untrue and what were the potential consequences?

Media reporting about HIV Media reporting on HIV can sometimes be incorrect or misleading. For example, reporters will include factual inaccuracies or myths about HIV, or sometimes they will write about HIV in a way that is sensationalist and unhelpful. This isn’t always deliberate but can be because reporters are misinformed. However, this can contribute to the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV.

Questions to consider Can you notice anything written in the article clippings which seems untrue, based on the ‘what’s the story about’ description? Thinking about some of the myths you know about HIV, can you identify any in the article clippings? Why are these myths potentially harmful? Do any of them encourage stigma about HIV?

Case study What is the story about? A woman’s account of her and her husband finding out he had HIV. Her husband, Darren, had an affair with another woman. After becoming sick, he went to the hospital and found out he had HIV. His wife was scared that she and her children could have contracted HIV as well. They all took an HIV test and their results came back negative.

Case study 1 Headline: “Hubby gave our kids HIV” and “Hubby’s Sick Gift”

HIV campaigning NAT (the National AIDS Trust) are the UK’s leading dedicated HIV charity. They campaign on a range of issues affecting people living with HIV. As part of their work, they monitor media reporting for misleading, inaccurate and stigmatising information around HIV in the media. A National AIDS Trust campaign on inaccurate media reporting

HIV Campaigning Article: “Hubby gave our kids HIV” and “Hubby’s Sick Gift” NAT wrote to the editor of the magazine: Highlighting the myths and inaccuracies in the article and the potential impact of this. Requesting a commitment from the magazine to more accurate and balanced reporting on HIV in the future. Offering to work with the magazine on a more balanced article. Requesting an apology be printed in the magazine, highlighting their obligations under press regulations. NAT also launched a campaign where those in our network of HIV activists were asked to write to the editor raising their concerns.

HIV campaigning The magazine agreed to meet NAT and discuss how they could improve their reporting on HIV. The magazine agreed to write a new article which was accurate and fairly represented people living with HIV. What happened as a result of NAT’s campaign?

HIV campaigning Most articles are published online and allow readers to comment underneath. You can post a comment highlighting inaccuracies or myths. If you are unsure on whether the article is inaccurate or stigmatising, you can contact your local HIV organisation or NAT (the National AIDS Trust) to make sure they are aware of the article and ask for their advice on how to respond. You can put your concerns in writing by sending a letter to the editor drawing their attention to the inaccuracies or myths which feature in the article. How can you make a difference?

What Can You Do? Act Aware – find out the facts and bust the myths about HIV. This will ensure that when you read something in the news or in a magazine, you know whether to trust it or not. Get clued up at: Don’t Be A Bystander – challenge HIV stigma and discrimination when you hear it. Become an HIV Activist – you can also get involved in campaigns and make a difference. network Fundraise - Raise awareness about HIV and help raise vital funds at the same time – For fundraising ideas visit NAT’s fundraising page: