HIV HIV/AIDS MEDIA GUIDE Media Guide AIDS HIV The development and printing of this guide were supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the POLICY Project. Media Guide The POLICY Project is funded by USAID under contract No.: HRN-C-00-00-00006-00, beginning July 7, 2000. The project is implemented by the Futures Group International in collaboration with the Center for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) and Research Triangle Institute (RTI). The printing of this guide was also supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural AIDS Organization (UNESCO) and the Independent Journalism Foundation (IJF). The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States Government, UNESCO or IJF. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the impression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of USAID, the United States Government, UNESCO or IJF concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by USAID, the United States Government, UNESCO or IJF in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. USAID, the United States Government, UNESCO or IJF do not warrant that the information contained in this publication is complete and correct and shall not be liable for any damages incurred as a result of its use. 1st Edition February 2006 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS he National AIDS Authority wishes to express special thanks to the United States Agency for International Development for its financial and technical assistance through Tthe POLICY Project, Cambodia, as well as to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Independant Journalism Foundation for its financial support. This media guide on HIV/AIDS was developed by the Special Media Guide Working Group in cooperation with the POLICY Project, Cambodia. We are grateful to the following organizations for providing input into the development of this guide: the Department of Media and Communication at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, the Cambodian Club of Journalists (CCJ), the Cambodian People Living with HIV/AIDS Network (CPN+), the HIV/AIDS Coordination Committee (HACC), the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and Sexually-Transmitted Diseases (NCHADS), National Television of Kampuchea (TVK), UNAIDS, UNICEF and UNESCO as well as to all the participants who generously gave their time to attend the consultative workshops to review the media guide. The National AIDS Authority wishes to thank all members of the Special Media Guide Working Group for their efforts and contributions to this media guide on HIV/AIDS: HE Dr.Tia Phalla Puy Kea Dy Many Dr. Sim Kim San Fabrice Laurentin Leu Pannasith Keo Chhen Kim Dara Reach Sambath Phan Sopheap Lan Van Seng Tin Vora We would also like to thank Peter Starr and Ung Sophea from the POLICY Project who reviewed the literature and wrote this guide. Sincere gratitude is also given to Dr.Ty Chettra, Candice Sainsbury and Chris Ward who reviewed the guide and provided substantial feedback and guidance. The pictures in this media guide were provided with permission from the photographer,web site and the people in the photographs, and in no way imply that these people are living with HIV/AIDS. Graphics were reproduced courtesy of Boehringer Ingleheim. For technical input and information, we would like to thank Dr. Mark White, Dr. Sok Bunna, Dr. Jack Spencer, Julie David, University Research Company (URC), Jenne Roberts and Chum Somonn. For translation, editing and design, thanks goes to Graphic Roots Co., Ltd, Cambodia Health Education Media Service (CHEMS), Dr.Tia Savora, Pen Samitthy,Nadia Cavalho, Felicity Young, Suneeta Sharma, Nancy McGirr,Adrian Patch and Lay Sokketh. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 1 FOREWORD FOREWORD t is now 12 years since HIV was first HIV/AIDS also remains a highly stigmatized On behalf of the National AIDS Authority, diagnosed in Cambodia. Since then, tens disease associated primarily with sex, I thank everyone who participated in Iof thousands of Cambodians have died prostitution and infidelity. Stigma and developing this valuable guide, and hope of AIDS, and many more have lost family discrimination is widespread against those that its use will contribute to promoting members. infected and affected by HIV, with poor respect for human rights and human and inaccurate media coverage often dignity in the face of this epidemic. In terms of actual numbers, Cambodia has contributing to negative attitudes towards fewer HIV cases than some of its neighbors. those living with HIV/AIDS.This also results But Cambodia's relatively small population in stereotyping and victimization. has long had the highest rate of infection among all Asian countries, posing a huge Misleading information about and negative challenge to the government and agencies perceptions of those infected by HIV must that work with HIV/AIDS. be addressed.The media has a crucial role to play in any HIV/AIDS program and is a Cambodia has been quick to recognize central actor in disseminating accurate the importance of educating people about information as well as shaping community prevention, and its response is often cited attitudes towards those most affected. abroad as one of the rare "success stories" in curbing the epidemic. In 1997, for Mainstream media in Cambodia have example, three out of every one hundred helped to raise public awareness about Cambodians between the ages of 15 and HIV prevention, but much care needs to be HE Dr. Hong Sun Huot 49 had HIV.Today, that number is less than taken to prevent sensationalism.We need two. to promote balanced media coverage that Senior Minister and Chairman, helps rather than hinders our response to National AIDS Authority But much work remains to be done.While the epidemic.A valuable partnership needs the number of new infections among men to be formed to further support the has plunged, the number of newly-infected government ministries and agencies women has barely changed. Women are working with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia. now almost four times more likely than men to be among the newly infected. What's With this comprehensive media guide, more, more than 120,000 people living with Cambodia now joins a small but growing HIV/AIDS need care and treatment, group of countries that seeks to help particularly access to high quality but journalists navigate their way through the affordable drugs and medical services. complexities of writing about HIV/AIDS. 2 FOREWORD 3 EXECUTIVE CONTENTS SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................5 he global HIV/AIDS epidemic is a are only too abundant. One cannot over- crisis that threatens the health, emphasize, therefore, the ethical importance security, and economic well-being of the media using appropriate language ................. T SECTION 1. TIMELINE, FIGURES AND BASIC QUESTIONS 9-24 CONTENTS AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY of Cambodians. HIV was first detected in when covering HIV/AIDS. Appropriate Cambodia in 1991. Awareness of HIV language is constructive, does not fuel SECTION 2. HIV/AIDS AND THE MEDIA ..............................25-30 prevention is now relatively high, and the stereotypes, and does not cause prejudice. SECTION 3. LANGUAGE...........................................31-34 media is recognized as having a vital role in educating people about the epidemic Section 5 studies stigma and discrimination, SECTION 4. FACTS..............................................35-40 and reducing stigma and discrimination both of which strengthen social inequalities and prejudices, especially those related to SECTION 5. STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION...........................41-44 against those affected. However,a study of the print media in Cambodia in 2003 found gender, sexual orientation, economic SECTION 6. DATA................................................45-52 that HIV/AIDS reporting was often sensa- status and race. Stigma associated with tionalist or voyeuristic, displaying little HIV/AIDS continues to profoundly affect SECTION 7. WOMEN.............................................53-56 respect for the dignity of people living prevention efforts, leading people to deny risk, avoid testing, delay treatment and suffer SECTION 8. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE..........................57-60 with HIV/AIDS who were usually depicted as victims or objects of sympathy. This needlessly. It is also a major barrier to HIV SECTION 9. MEN AND OLDER PEOPLE...............................61-64 resource has been developed as a result programs -- people who want to know of recognition that there was no media their HIV status may be afraid to be tested SECTION 10. VACCINES AND MICROBICIDES...........................65-68 guide to meet the growing demands of out of embarrassment. It has even been reported that some people are afraid to SECTION 11. TESTING AND COUNSELING.............................69-72 reporters covering the increasingly complex HIV/AIDS issues. buy condoms out of fear of being labeled SECTION 12. TREATMENT AND CARE.................................73-76 as HIV carriers. Sections 1 - 4 look at facts, HIV/AIDS and SECTION 13. THE NEXT 10 YEARS....................................77-78 the media, and language. Correct reporting People with