Tamil Nadu has an estimated 240,000 people infected with HIV. Stigma and discrimination of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) continues to be an issue. The media has not taken a pro-active role to address stigma and discrimination and often sensationalize the issue. Journalism and media reporting on HIV/AIDS in Tamil Nadu, a high prevalence state, is not meeting the needs of the public in providing current and correct information about the disease.
The objective of Local Voices India is improving public access to HIV/AIDS information by building capacity of local journalists to report accurately on HIV prevention and care services. The project coordinates with USG partners and the State AIDS Control Society to ensure that journalist and media personnel are exposed to both public and private sector prevention and care interventions.
The Local Voices India project is:
- Developing HIV training curriculum for media personnel based on needs-assessment and train media personnel on HIV reporting;
- Establishing a Media Training and Resource Centre on HIV/AIDS for media personnel;
- Developing HIV reporting curriculum for budding journalists in coordination with the Asian College of Journalism; and
- • Increasing the capacity of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and NGOs to interact effectively with local media.
President George W. Bush has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a priority. In 2003, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief committed an initial $15 billion over five years in 100 target countries (including India) to mitigate the disease. The Emergency Plan streamlines and coordinates efforts of all U.S. Government agencies, including USAID activities, to battle HIV/AIDS. It is the largest health initiative of its kind in history. |
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