Media role in fight against HIV/AIDS

If we want to prevent people from contracting HIV/AIDs, we must educate them about how the disease is transmitted to humans.

Over the past decade, the government has made a great effort to inform people about how to protect themselves from being infected with HIV/AIDs. These measures include urging people to practice safe sex and use condoms and to avoid employing used syringes.
Though the government is seen to be doing its work successfully, talking about sex or the use of condoms is considered rude in Lao society. This makes it difficult for people to access necessary information on HIV/AIDS and how to avoid infection.

There has been a lot of debate in society that such information could prove to be a double-edged sword and that armed with knowledge about safe sex, people would be encouraged to have sex earlier. Premarital sex is considered to go against Lao culture.

A group of Lao media persons have done a study titled ‘Loud Whisper' which focuses on safe sex and the media's role in its promotion in Southeast Asia .

The study shows that the strong traditional disapproval of premarital sex and the reluctance to discuss sexual matters are proving to be major obstacles for journalists to publicise and discuss these issues openly.

It is widely perceived that free and frank discussions and the education of people are important factors to help reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases in the region.

The ‘Loud Whisper' study done by Mr Khamkhong Kongvongsa, Mr Somkiao Kingsada and Ms Phonesavanh Thikeo is in response to the alarming increase in the number of HIV/AIDs infected people in the South East Asian region.

The cover of the publication of the ‘Loud Whisper' study done by Lao media persons

The survey aimed to find out the limitations and challenges faced by the media in reporting about HIV/AIDS. The study also focuses on analysing the evolution of media reporting of the disease. Seven media teams from Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos , the Philippines , Thailand and Vietnam in the region are working with the support of the AIDS society of the Philippines and the Rockfeller Foundation. The study says referring to the findings at 6 th International Conference on HIV/AIDs in Asia and Pacific held in Melbourne , Australia that the reports of media people on sexual matters are controlled.

This prevents frank discussion by the media which in certain instances reports the issue in indirect ways. In Laos , according to a media evaluation done by the United Nations, the issue of safe sexual intercourse is not reported in newspapers. Also, knowledge of journalists and ability to explain issues related to the disease are said to below.

The study shows that the media has not changed and continues to promote traditional beliefs, though the reality of the world is different with prostitution and pre-marital sex going on, even as these subjects are avoided in everyday conversation.

Ninety- seven percent of young people who were interviewed by the study team said that when sexual intercourse was mentioned they perceived the talk would revolve around sex organs, which is considered rude in Lao society.

Though Lao people commonly joke about love affairs, their attitude does not help to provide information to people on practicing safe sex, according to the study.

Most women interviewed during the study believe that the best way to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is to run a campaign to educate men to follow traditional practices and not to have sex with multiple partners.

Lao women are said to be traditionally averse to seeing their husbands in possession of condoms. This may be a reason why men may not have access to a condom when they need to use it.

Though, publicity of sex is considered inappropriate and against Lao social mores, most of the journalists interviewed said that they see a great need to disseminate knowledge on safe sex, according to the survey.