About the Media Action Plan on HIV & AIDS and Gender

What is the MAP?

The MAP on HIV/AIDS and Gender is a collaborative effort by the Southern African Editors Forum (SAEF) and NGO partners to improve coverage of HIV/AIDS and gender, as well as mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the media industry.

What are the objectives of MAP?

Improving the quality of media reporting on the epidemic and the gender inequality that fuels it, as well as mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS on the media industry in Southern Africa, MAP aims to:

• Ensure better regional coordination and participation of media managers in activities targeting the media on HIV and AIDS in Southern Africa
• Ensure that 80% of media institutions have workplace based policies and programmes on HIV/AIDS and Gender, by the end 2007 in accordance with SADC and ILO Codes of Conduct.
• Establish standards for media reporting and increase the understanding of editors on issues relating to HIV & AIDS and Gender.
• Improve media reporting through integrating HIV & AIDS and gender into media training at tertiary institutions, in-service training institutions and in the workplace.
• Develop and disseminate information and resource materials on HIV & AIDS and Gender for the media.
• Establish baseline data and conduct monitoring and research to assess the impact of MAP on HIV & AIDS and gender coverage.

How does MAP Work?

AEF, which comprises representatives from the national editors’ forums of countries in the SADC region, is the overall co-ordinator of MAP. The HIV & AIDS and Gender Mainstreaming Committee of SAEF works in partnership with organisations in the region that promote freedom of expression and media professionalism in the implementation of MAP.

Lead agencies coordinate the work of the different sub-sectors, including raising funds for, and managing activities. The sub sectors and lead agencies are:

* Newsroom policies: Gender Links and GEMSA;
* Ethics: AED;
* Training: PANOS;
* Research and monitoring: MMP;
* Information and Resources: SAFAIDS.

The lead agencies convene reference groups comprising the various partner organisations. These include: the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa, Gender Links, Gender and Media Southern Africa Network (GEMSA), Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ), Inter Press Service (IPS), Media Monitoring Project (MMP), SADC NGO Consortium, SAfAIDS, Wits School of Journalism, Zambian Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM), Rhodes University, NSJ. SAEF will annually convene the Media Partners Consultation where feedback will be provided on progress made in achieving the objectives of the Media Action Plan.

What informs the MAP?

MAP has been developed taking into account the following global, continental and regional commitments:

• The Millenium Development Goals (MDGs)
• The Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS)
• The Abuja Declaration on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other related infectious diseases
• The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
• The SADC Declaration on HIV/AIDS
• The SADC Declaration on Gender and Development.

These declarations underscore the important role that the media has to play as a partner in the response to HIV & AIDS and Gender, including promoting information on prevention, care, support and treatment. They highlight the need to address gender dynamics, the socio-economic impact, the prevention of stigma and discrimination, the promotion of human rights as well access to treatment, care and support.

What is the background to MAP?

• November 2003: SAEF established a HIV & AIDS and Gender Mainstreaming Committee was created
• June 2004: Partnership with UNAIDS and MISA established in Windhoek, Namibia and HIV & AIDS and Gender Mainstreaming Committee requested to organise a two day editorial consultation on HIV & AIDS
• July 2004: SAEF, UNAIDS and MISA meet in Johannesburg, South Africa, and draft Programme of Action on HIV & AIDS and Gender.
• November 2004: SAEF Consultation on HIV and AIDS takes place in Mangochi, Malawi and the principle of adopted by SAEF.
• February/March 2005: Media Partners Consultation convened by Gender Links and GEMSA to discuss collaborative efforts by organisations that promote freedom of expression and media professionalism in the region. SAEF Draft Programme on HIV/AIDS and Gender is among several collaborative initiatives discussed. The SAEF document is renamed the Media Action Plan on HIV & AIDS and Gender and partners identify their contributions, roles and responsibilities. SAEF is tasked with coordinate future regional meetings of the media partners on an annual basis.
• April 2005: SADC-SAEF Consultation on HIV & AIDS and Gender Mainstreaming as well as ethical media reporting. Detailed planning by lead agencies on the various components of the MAP, especially newsroom policies which form an important starting point.