Media reporting on HIV/AIDS
Covering a ‘silent story’
Media reporting on HIV/AIDS
By Ma. Diosa Labiste
MEDIA COVERAGE of HIV/AIDS* in the country is generally sympathetic but remains seasonal and, sometimes, sensational.
These were some of the findings of a study by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines under the International Federation of Journalists country research plan.
The study, which started in November 2005, consisted of the following: a two-week media monitoring from Nov. 28 to Dec. 11 last year; surveys for journalists and HIV/AIDS non-government organizations; trainers’ training workshops for journalists; and the publication of the media guide, which was launched recently.
How monitoring was done
Media monitoring was timed with World Aids Day which is observed on Dec. 1. Monitored were four newspapers, two television news programs, two public affairs television programs and one radio show.
The newspapers were the Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Abante, and Bandera.
The television news programs monitored were Insider of ABS-CBN and 24 Oras of GMA-7. Also monitored were two ABS-CBN programs, namely Payong Kapatid and Maalaala Mo Kaya. The lone radio program monitored was Babae Ka, May Say Ka.
A total of 34 stories/broadcast about or related to HIV/AIDS were reviewed during the two-week period. Newspapers led in having the biggest number of HIV/AIDS stories at 29.
Sixty-one journalists were surveyed. They were reporters and editors from 30 dailies, leading radio stations, television stations, and community news-papers assigned in Metro Manila and key cities in the country. More than half (67 percent) were male and 31 percent were female. More than half work in newspapers; nine in online news, nine in radio, and the rest were in television and wire agencies.
Many of the respondents were community journalists. Close to half of the respondents were based in cities and provinces outside Metro Manila. When asked how many HIV/AIDS stories were filed each month, 47 percent of the respondents answered none. Forty percent said they filed one to five stories a month. Only two respondents (3.2 percent) said he/she filed six to 10 HIV/AIDS stories a month.
The three most common sources when reporting on HIV/AIDS stories were health officials, non-government organizations, and other HIV/AIDS organizations.
Among newspapers, the Philippine Daily Inquirer had the highest number of HIV/AIDS stories at 15. Coverage was a mix of straight news, feature stories, and commentaries.
Story placement. Most of the stories in the four newspapers were prominently printed in the general and national news sections, world news, and opinion-editorial page. HIV/AIDS stories were not confined to the health section or general news but were found in various sections of the newspapers.
Length of stories. The length of the stories ranged from two column-inches to 27 column-inches. The average length was 15 column-inches. Most of the stories were above the fold of the newspapers and given prominent headlines, accompanied by pictures.
On television, ABS-CBN’s Insider had a one-minute story on HIV/AIDS on Dec. 1, specifically on activities in Africa, India, and Jerusalem. GMA-7 came up with a two-minute feature on People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), statistics on HIV/AIDS, and groups in advocacy work to prevent HIV/AIDS. The documentary-drama Maalaala Mo Kaya was about the life of a PLWHA who passed away. ABS-CBN also came up with a five-second in-house advertisement on World AIDS Day.
The radio talk show, Babae Ka, May Say Ka, discussed HIV/AIDS issues, discrimination against and lack of access by gays to services, and information on safe sex and prevention of HIV.
Topics. Although the 2005 World AIDS Day drew attention to the plight of children with HIV/AIDS, the topics published and aired were varied.
Language. In the two weeks of media monitoring, the language used in HIV/AIDS stories were fairly positive but words and phrases like “victims” “HIV holocaust,” “scourge,” “epidemic,” and “deepest wound in society” were also used. The exaggeration was apparently meant to increase reader interest in the stories.
Sources. The sources cited in news stories were both official and non-official. Some stories did not attribute their information to studies or other sources. One-third of the stories were single-sourced, mostly statements of government and non-govern-ment organization officials or religious leaders. Some stories cited recent statistics and studies.
Voices. Generally, the stories did not give a voice to persons with HIV/AIDS. Only two columns did so.
Images. The images of persons with HIV/AIDS shown in photographs in newspapers and used in visuals in television or in audios in radio were encouraging because they gave no hint of discrimination. The television sound bites were also positive.
Stereotyping. Some stories, however, tended to picture persons with HIV/AIDS as “helpless victims” and to imply that sex workers and intravenous drug users are responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Ethics. The stories within the two-week monitoring period were in violation of some rules on the ethical reporting of a sensitive topic like HIV/AIDS. There were still problems with balance and fairness, which was evident in the use of a single source in the stories. Some stories even sounded like press releases. But pseudonyms were used to protect the identities of the persons involved.
Accuracy. The problem on accuracy in the 34 stories was caused by the failure to get recent statistics on HIV/AIDS, the reliance on a single news source, and inclusion of claims that were not backed by studies or statistics. Some news stories were too short and did not elaborate on the issue.
Lack of information
Journalists said the quality of information on HIV/AIDS from state bodies and government was poor or limited. The same was said about information from non-government organizations.
Journalists agreed that the media’s role in HIV/AIDS crisis was “reducing and preventing HIV/AIDS by disseminating vital information.” But close to half of those surveyed admitted that the media in the Philippines fall short in taking steps to provide accurate, balanced, and fair information. Majority think that the media contribute to the formation of negative stereo-types of people with HIV/AIDS.
For specific topics, stories on the deaths of PLWHA received a high level of media coverage. Those receiving medium coverage were stories about people living with HIV/AIDS, and the transmission and treatment of the disease. Stories that received low coverage were those about orphans of a parent with HIV/AIDS and about medical breakthroughs and research. While coverage of orphans was low, the tone of the stories was sympathetic.
The top three elements that received media’s attention were deaths caused by HIV/AIDS, people living with HIV/AIDS, and transmission of HIV/AIDS.
More work needed
Seventy-seven percent of the journalists said their news organizations had no guidelines or training on reporting HIV/AIDS
Journalists said they needed to be trained on reporting on HIV/AIDS and educated on the issue. Community journalists, in particular, said there is a need to acquaint them with best practices on reporting on HIV/AIDS as well as the ethical issues involved.
The journalists also said that HIV/AIDS stories are seasonal, often written in relation to the commemoration of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1. There were those who admitted they wrote stories on HIV/AIDS to snare awards.
One reporter said stories about HIV/AIDS should be related to social and political issues. One journalist gave this sensible advice: “Just avoid sensationalism and try to focus on the human experience. Make people realize that life goes on after HIV/AIDS. That it is just another disease that could be helped with more under-standing.”
Ma. Diosa Labiste is project coordinator for the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.
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