THE media plays a critical role in the fight against HIV and in this context, media practitioners through their coverage of related issues can impact positively or negatively on people’s lifestyle’s choices. This is particularly important in Guyana where about 12,000 of its more than 700,000 strong population are living with HIV to ensure that the transmission of the virus is significantly reduced.

This is according to Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who was at the time addressing participants at the opening ceremony of a workshop for journalists and media practitioners hosted Friday by the Info for Life project. Info for Life is a media group that contributes to the fight against the epidemic through a live television programme addressing various issues on Thursday evenings on NCN, Channel 11.

Minister Ramsammy noted that the programme has impacted positively on the fight against HIV and that the local media has been very active in terms of highlighting stories about HIV and spreading information and awareness.

“This constant highlight of issue speaks well of [our] country, but our coverage sometimes contribute to stigmatization of the disease without which ultimately leads to discrimination and therefore we continue to build our capacity so that we not only have the eagerness to report, but that we report accurately,” he said.

The Minister said there are many success stories to be told of the local HIV programme, including the strides being made in reducing transmission from a pregnant woman to her unborn child. He also noted that, unlike some countries, Guyana offers free treatment for every person living with HIV, including the 136 children who are doing so at present.

“You have the tools that can protect the whole population,” the Minister told participants, who included students from the University of Guyana Communication programme.

The workshop, according to Ms Desiree Edghill, who is one of the facilitators, will focus on stigma and discrimination, reporting HIV related issues in the media, the language to use to avoid stigmatization and a glossary of correct terms. The largely interactive three-day workshop would also ascertain how much participants already know and try to build on that.

On this note, Lecturer at the University of Guyana Communications Centre, Dr. Paloma Mohammed gave the participants some helpful hints, which included keeping their stories simple, clear and colourful to sustain people’s interest and effectively communicate the desired messages.

Coordinator of the Workshop, Andrea Joseph, a journalist attached to NCN also urged participants to make the most of the workshop, as it helps to continue the fight against HIV.

Info for Life is funded by a US$13,000 grant from the Ministry of Health through contributions of the Civil Society Component of the World Bank Project.