British man recovered from HIV, Times of Zambia

The article can be used to:
1.  Show the importance of cross checking facts regarding HIV, especially claims of an HIV cure.         
2. Demonstrate how news briefs can provide very little information.

3. Raise discussions about the responsibility of the media related to HIV/AIDS coverage.    
4. Demonstrate the importance of media literacy.

 

Trainer’s Notes:  Although the article does not sensationalise the issue, it fails to provide any context and does not comment on the potential concerns that such an article may raise (raising false expectations of people living with HIV/AIDS, encouraging high risk behaviour).  The article also fails get more detailed comment from health care workers and scientists about the possible cure.    

 

1. What are the ethical obligations of the media when reporting on medical and scientific issues of HIV?
2. What impact could this article have on peopleliving with HIV? Prevention efforts ? 3. Read the commentary below about care workers, compare theimpact of this piece on people living with HIV.

3. What other reasons could exist for the "cure." For example, the article does not mention the possibility of a false positive test in the first place.

Training exercises:

1. Make a list of potential sources that will allow the article to be written in a more balanced way.

2. Research this case, first published in 2005, to ascertain if there were any further developments.

3. Conduct research on media literacy levels. For example, conduct a survey that measures to what extent people believe what they read in the media.

 

Links to Training Resources:  Gender and HIV/AIDS: A Training Manual for Southern African Media and Communicators, Gender Links and the AIDS Law Project, Chapter 4 www.genderlinks.org.za/docs/training/hiv-training-manual/hiv-ch4.pdf
           

Related GL Commentaries
Why is media literacy important for women
Care workers support people living with HIV