21st Century Press Guidelines
posted: 13/08/2010
The media reporting of HIV is often wrong and negative. New detailed Guidelines for Reporting HIV are out today to help editors and journalists write well about HIV in the UK.
The guidelines dispel common myths about HIV, provide up-to-date information and tell journalists where to go for more information.
The new guidelines, from NAT (National AIDS Trust), are backed by the National Union of Journalists, the Press Complaints Commission, and the Society of Editors.
Accurate, up to date, respectful
HIV has changed a lot in recent years. Testing and treatment, quality of life and life expectancy are radically better. The guidelines help journalists report about HIV in the 21st century. For example, it is no longer correct to suggest that HIV is a death sentence, that HIV automatically leads to AIDS, or that you must wait three or six months for a test, all of which have been said in recent news reports.
Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT, says “The public get a lot of their knowledge about HIV from the press, so it is important journalists get it right. Accurate reporting benefits public health, dispels myths, undermines prejudice and increases understanding. We hope these guidelines will help journalists update their knowledge about HIV in the 21st century.”
News Mistakes
NAT monitors the press for inaccurate coverage about HIV. Some of the most common mistakes journalists make include suggesting there is a risk of HIV infection from discarded needles, biting, or spitting, reports often treat HIV and AIDS as if they are the same thing, and suggest HIV is deadly.
Graham Dudman, Managing Editor at The Sun, ensures his staff use the guidelines. He says:
“At The Sun we pride ourselves on getting the facts right and staying up to date. This can be a challenge in sensitive areas like HIV. NAT's guidelines for journalists are very useful, really simple to work with and lay out all the facts reporters need.”
George House Trust hopes The Sun reports HIV responsibly in future – in June its front page was a scare-mongering report suggesting British troops could get HIV from old needles or razor blades in Afghanistan. It published this on the front page, despite including a comment from NAT denying the claim that troops could be infected in this way. There was no HIV risk to troops but The Sun still printed the story, and on the front page. This was then repeated elsewhere, including on BBC radio.
Stephen Abell, Director of the Press Complaints Commission said "While public and media understanding of HIV and AIDS has improved, it remains vital that the press takes particular care when reporting on these issues - both by being accurate and by respecting the privacy of those who live with either condition. The PCC has a clear role to play in resolving complaints, upholding and improving standards, and providing a public service to those who have concerns about the press."
Download the Guidelines for Reporting HIV
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