EDITORIAL: Being HIV-savvy is essential, and now also easy

How the media handled the announcement that Thabang Lebese died of AIDS-related complications this week is telling of the lack of basic HIV-knowledge among some reporters.

Reports on Lebese’s disclosure raises a number of questions, primarily: Why, when there is effective treatment, did he die? His death is particularly puzzling given his involvement in the “Show me your number” campaign. Even if he was keeping his status secret, through his advocacy work Lebese would have learnt the importance of seeking health care, getting a CD4 done and going on treatment once it dropped to below 350.

A reporter with some basic knowledge of HIV treatment, and an inkling of the scepticism that still exists around treatment (not to mention the damage done in February by Lesego Motsepe), would no doubt have asked these questions.

Lebese’s case, and Motsepe’s imprudence, for that matter, are both proof that situations continually arise in which journalists who are not necessarily health specialists, are required to broach the tricky topic of HIV. And when that happens, a very basic knowledge of HIV is indispensible.

But keeping up to speed with HIV issues need not make large demands on journalists’ time. This week the HIV & AIDS Media Project has launched its first HIV press kit, a concise compendium of basic facts relating to the relevant health awareness month. The first one covers the basic ins and outs of TB, including statistics and basic science, and shows how HIV relates to the condition. The kit also has key contacts for further information.

Download the HIV press kit from our website.