HIV and AIDS and TV webpage launched
26-10-2007 (Paris)
The Global Network of Young TV Producers on HIV and AIDS, an activity supported within the framework of the Communication and Information Programme, has launched a website to inform the public of its work with media training institutions, broadcasting organizations, and more than 90 young television producers in HIV and AIDS prevention.
The project, within the framework of UNESCO’s Communication and Information Programme and UNESCO's strategy for responding to HIV and AIDS, seeks to improve the professional competence of young television producers reporting on HIV and AIDS. The activity also mobilizes the long-term commitment of regional and sub-regional broadcasting and media training organizations in efforts towards the prevention, treatment, and care of HIV and AIDS.
An immediate outcome of the project is the production of relevant quality short films and documentary scripts. The project also provides support for the creation of media directories, local language media training manuals, and seed funding to support the talent of young television producers in reporting HIV and AIDS. Selected TV productions, resulting from training activities, are packaged on DVD under a free distribution agreement and made available to broadcasting organizations and media training institutions. Twenty of those productions are immediately accessible through the launched webpage and more will be uploaded periodically.
Since the early nineties, mass media producers worldwide have created powerful metaphors to aid public understanding about the need for prevention. Many of those metaphors are able to contribute not only to prevention efforts but, through sensationalist and erroneous reporting, also to stigma and discrimination. The latter impact is often fuelled by a supply of inexact ideas and information that hinder efforts from overcoming a myriad of challenges including behavioral factors such as denial. Equipped with information that is scientifically exact, media professionals can improve the media content used to engage the attention of the public audience to debate and discuss relevant issues.
The Global Network of Young TV Producers on HIV and AIDS receives support from the Unified Budget Workplan (UNAIDS) and is implemented in collaboration with regional broadcasting associations and televisions stations in a number of countries.
An immediate outcome of the project is the production of relevant quality short films and documentary scripts. The project also provides support for the creation of media directories, local language media training manuals, and seed funding to support the talent of young television producers in reporting HIV and AIDS. Selected TV productions, resulting from training activities, are packaged on DVD under a free distribution agreement and made available to broadcasting organizations and media training institutions. Twenty of those productions are immediately accessible through the launched webpage and more will be uploaded periodically.
Since the early nineties, mass media producers worldwide have created powerful metaphors to aid public understanding about the need for prevention. Many of those metaphors are able to contribute not only to prevention efforts but, through sensationalist and erroneous reporting, also to stigma and discrimination. The latter impact is often fuelled by a supply of inexact ideas and information that hinder efforts from overcoming a myriad of challenges including behavioral factors such as denial. Equipped with information that is scientifically exact, media professionals can improve the media content used to engage the attention of the public audience to debate and discuss relevant issues.
The Global Network of Young TV Producers on HIV and AIDS receives support from the Unified Budget Workplan (UNAIDS) and is implemented in collaboration with regional broadcasting associations and televisions stations in a number of countries.
Related themes/countries
· HIV and AIDS: News Archives 2007
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- UNESCO
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