Building ethical solidarity between public health & the press against HIV/AIDS-related stigma.

摘要

Many in the public health, HIV/AIDS, and human rights communities and beyond have been stunned over the publication of a public notice bearing the name and personal details of an individual alleged to . be "affected with HIV positive" appearing in Mid-Day. Magazine (Mumbai) last May. In a country where four out of five Indians get their HIV-related information from the media1, such incidents reflect the limits of our efforts in diverse quarters in reducing the stigma associated with HTV/AIDS and invite reflection on how we can do better. This letter draws renewed attention to the role of the media in perpetuating HTV7 AIDS-related stigma in India, which reflect violations of the norms of ethical conduct of journalism. It shows the parity these principles have with the bioethical norms of public health/medical research, advocating a convergent commitment in media and public health jointly in favour of anti-discrimination legislation related to HTV/AIDS.