Press ReleasesVietnamese Journalists Learn to Reduce Stigma
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Uamdao Noikorn/Internews
Vietnamese journalists learn how to report on HIV/AIDS effectively at a workshop in Quang Ninh, Vietnam. |
(June 15, 2007) Following training in reporting effectively on HIV/AIDS, Vietnamese journalists are writing stories that contain significantly fewer stigmatizing words and phrases, according to an Internews analysis. In addition, trainees say they have a much better understanding of the negative impacts of discrimination against HIV-positive people.
This training is part of an Internews project that helps journalists based in the Mekong region to improve their reporting on HIV/AIDS. As part of the project, Internews conducts regular monitoring and content analysis of stories produced by participants during and after training workshops.
Most recently, Internews held a five-day workshop in the northern city of Hailong, Quang Ninh province, that was the first ever to focus on stigma and discrimination of people living HIV/AIDS (PLHIVs) in Vietnam.
“Most of the participants in this workshop had previously participated in basic trainings with Internews, and their stories show a great improvement in terms of accuracy and reduced use of stigmatizing terminology,” said Lyndal Barry, Internews Mekong Project Director.
Also participating in the workshop were four staffers of Bright Future, a Vietnamese non-profit organization founded by people living HIV/AIDS that provides support, advice and education for PLHIVs. The inclusion of PLHIVs in the training has proven effective, as the participants said it allowed them to see the “human face” of HIV/AIDS and reduced prejudice.
“This is the most interesting and fun journalism training I have ever attended,” said a radio reporter who was one of the 22 journalists participating in the training. “And when it focused on discrimination, which is a big issue here, it was very useful.”
Held in May, the workshop was co-organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Health.
In April, Internews conducted two other PLHIV workshops on media and communications in Hanoi and in Ho Chi Minh City. These were held in conjunction with Bright Future and the Vietnamese Community Mobilization Center for HIV/AIDS Control (VICOMC), another local non-profit organization working on HIV/AIDS.
This Internews project helps journalists based in the Mekong region to strengthen and increase their coverage of the prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS. Focused workshops encourage active participation and a practical approach, and post-training support and mentoring helps the journalists to produce stories from the workshops for publication or broadcast.
The program is funded by a grant to Internews Europe by the UK Department for International Development.
When love stays, by Thuy Nga April 21, 2007 — an article by a workshop participant
