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The media

“HIV is a story of critical importance. All audiences deserve full, accurate and intelligent coverage of HIV and the media has a significant role to play. Effective reporting requires being well informed about HIV and its social and medical implications. It can also challenge myths and misinformation about HIV. Though many consider HIV irrelevant to their lives, it affects all sections of society.” — AFAOAustralian Federation of AIDS Organisations. AFAO is the peak non-government organisation representing Australia's community-based response to HIV/AIDS. AFAO's work includes education, policy, advocacy and international projects. Media Guide 2009

Content dealing with the media’s coverage of HIV is shown below. For resources for the media and recent NAPWA media releases, visit the media page.

Fanning HIV fear fosters discrimination

Story • Robert Mitchell • 3 June 2010

Recent reporting of HIV transmission cases in Australian media has shown the ignorance of many commentators of the comprehensive detail of systems and procedures for management of people who put other sat risk, which in the majority of cases are effective at reducing risks to the community.  read more »

Reporting HIV in Australia

Story • Jill Sergeant • 10 June 2009

NAPWA welcomes the publication of Reporting HIV in Australia: Information for Journalists, which was launched in Canberra by Senator Louise Pratt on 18 June 2009. read more »

From PLWHA to PLHIV

Story • Robert Mitchell • 10 June 2009

NAPWA’s decision to move away from using the term ‘HIV/AIDS’ to ‘HIV’ (and from ‘PLWHA’ to ‘PLHIV’) has generated some debate. NAPWA president Robert Mitchell explains the reasons behind the change. read more »

NAPWA Language and Style Guide

Manual • 14 May 2009

It’s time we looked at the language we use around HIV. Some of it has served its time, media stories are still sensationalised, and people with HIV are still stigmatised by terms such as 'AIDS carriers'. Sometimes writers are confused about correct terminology. In recognition of these problems, NAPWA has produced a guide for those of us writing about HIV in the Australian setting. read more »

People with AIDS deplore 'cheap, shabby' attack

Media release • 26 May 2005

The National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) has strongly condemned today's statement by Derryn Hinch that Graham Kennedy died of an AIDS-related illness. read more »

Exposed!

Positive Living article • David Menadue • 1 October 2003

On a publicity tour for his new book, DAVID MENADUE finds that media interest in AIDS persists, although the quality of the questions can sometimes leave a little to be desired. read more »

Fear of flying

Positive Living article • Kirsty Machon • 1 June 2003

There has been a lot of speculation about SARS[Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome] A new respiratory illness which was first reported in Asian countries during late 2002 and early 2003. The symptoms include high fever, cough, malaise and difficulty in breathing. Several laboratory tests for the SARS virusA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. are now available. and HIV. But in reality we know very little about the implications for positive people. Is it time to stock up on surgical masks, or is the story just another media beat-up? KIRSTY MACHON investigates. read more »

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