Ethical guidelines for HIV and AIDS reporting: the interest-group factor
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Date
2008
Authors
Swanepoel, Thalyta
Fourie, Lynnette M.
Froneman, Johannes D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Communication Science, Unierstity of the Free State
Abstract
HIV and Aids is a complex developmental issue. Cognisance should therefore be taken
of the socio-cultural, socio-economic and epidemiological factors impacting on the
syndrome. To deal with HIV and Aids in such a comprehensive manner, a multi-sectoral
approach is required in which government, civil society, the media and NGOs take
hands. In this regard criticism about media coverage on HIV and Aids has resulted in
constructive suggestions, mainly from interest groups, through which they performed a
potentially powerful agenda-setting function. This article extracts a number of
guidelines from the suggestions to formulate an ethical framework for HIV and Aids
reporting in view of the lack of guidelines in professional ethical codes (e.g. the Code
of the Press Council of South Africa) as well as institutional codes (i.e. that of
individual media institutions). The proposed interest group guidelines are directed at
journalism practice, but also address ethical issues, e.g. that the media consider the
rights of people with HIV and Aids, respect their right to confidentiality and portray
them in a dignified manner.
Description
Keywords
HIV, AIDS, Ethical guidelines, Reporting, Journalism practice
Citation
Swanepoel, T., Fourie, L. M., & Froneman, J. D. (2008). Ethical guidelines for HIV and AIDS reporting: the interest-group factor. Communitas, 13(1), 75-92.