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monitoring HIV/AIDS reporting through a gender lens

This booklet is produced by Women's Media Watch South Africa as a resource for media practitioners and media advocates. It provides a practical media monitoring and media awareness tool that aims to empower media advocates analysing and challenging content and style of reporting from a critically gender and human rights perspective.

South Africa is one of the countries in the world worst hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and the issue has become highly politicised and controversial.

Sensationalism is one of the old sales tricks. Flashy, sensational headlines are often used to attract attention.

Reporting focusing on sex and death, bad news and highly emotional stories are used to sell. Misleading, inaccurate and confusing information have increased negative attitudes towards People living with HIV/AIDS. This has contributed towards fear and confusion amongst the public. Horrific statistics and images of people dying have led to further stigmatisation of people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. A climate of "Us" and "Them" has been established and existing stereotypes and misconceptions are reinforced. These statements have contributed towards discrimination and rejection of People living with HIV/AIDS. Celebrities and high-profile people and organisations make news. The so-called ordinary person, on the other hand, does not easily make news. Tapping into relevant sources of public interest will expose HIV/AIDS from various angles and provide in-depth analysis of underlying socio-economic factors and hence give a voice to people affected by HIV/AIDS.

This booklet has been made possible by funding from the World Association of Christian Communications and the Norwegian Women's Front.

An online version of the booklet is available in PDF format here.