Education crucial in fight against AIDS

THE UNITED Nations has launched a “Global Media AIDS initiative” to activate media organisations to reach people worldwide, especially youths, with information about how to prevent and treat HIV and help combat AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.

UNAIDS estimates that two-thirds of the 45 million new HIV infections projected to occur worldwide over the next decade could be stemmed with greater access to effective prevention and public education efforts. Surveys in 40 countries worldwide indicate that more than 50 percent of young people aged 15-24 do not know how HIV is transmitted. The launch of the media initiative took place last Thursday at the UN in New York and involved participation by presidents, chief executive officers and senior executives from more than 20 media organisations from around the world. “When you are working to combat a disastrous and growing emergency, you should use every tool at your disposal,” said secretary general Koffi Annan. He described HIV/AIDS as the worst epidemic humanity has ever faced. “It has spread further, faster and with more catastrophic long-term effects than any other disease. Its impact has become a devastating obstacle to development.”

Annan said broadcast media have tremendous reach and influence of the media especially with youths, who represent the future and are key to any successful fight against HIV/AIDS. He said these powerful organisations must be engaged as full partners in the fight to halt the disease through awareness, prevention and education. Annan has asked major media companies for a commitment to use their resources to expand public knowledge and understanding about HIV/AIDS. Specific areas identified for companies to undertake include: designating the fight against AIDS as an overall corporate priority; committing substantial time and/or space to the issue, including programming/editorial and advertising; providing current news coverage of the epidemic both globally and locally, providing comprehensive workforce education about HIV.