New Guidelines For Journalists To Avoid Inaccurate And Stigmatising Reporting Of HIV & AIDS

In response to growing concerns about inaccurate and stigmatising coverage of HIV in the UK media, the National AIDS Trust and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) are today launching 'Guidelines for reporting HIV'. This practical guide gives people working in the media up-to-date information on HIV and sources of further information to help ensure that their reporting is accurate and non-stigmatising.

A major concern for people living with HIV in the UK and the organisations that support them is the number of articles in the media that sensationalise and stigmatise HIV and unfairly represent individuals living with the virus. Inaccurate or stigmatising media coverage increases misconceptions about HIV and can fuel discrimination against HIV-positive people.
The National AIDS Trust and the National Union of Journalists have jointly produced these guidelines to help journalists tackling this complex and sensitive topic make sure that the articles that they write are not misleading and do not encourage negative perceptions about HIV.

The National AIDS Trust works closely with people living with HIV on challenging incorrect or stigmatising coverage and is aware that many more people living with HIV would also like to play their part in encouraging improved standards of reporting on HIV. The guidelines are a useful resource for anyone living with HIV who sees an inaccurate or stigmatising article and wishes to complain, as they can reference the guidelines in their complaint and advise journalists to download the guidelines to avoid future errors.