Indian Media Can Play Important Role in Coordinated National Response to HIV/AIDS Epidemic, Information Minister Says

All sectors of Indian society must work together to form a coordinated national response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is threatening the country's recent social, economic and technological advances, Indian Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Jaipal Reddy said on Thursday in a speech to the Indian Media Leaders HIV/AIDS Initiative meeting in New Delhi, The Hindu reports (The Hindu, 10/28). "The situation we are facing now is unprecedented in our history and requires an unprecedented response from all sectors of society," Reddy said, adding, "Through a unified, strong and continuous leadership from all sectors we will have a better chance at succeeding in preventing the spread of HIV and mitigating its impact" (PTI/The Hindu, 10/27). Reddy said the Indian media can play an important role in shaping public opinion about the disease and educating communities about HIV prevention, care and treatment. "Media can help India fight ignorance, silence and inaction. Consistent and accurate information must be accessible to all, and this information needs to be open and honest so that people could make choices," he said (The Hindu, 10/28). Reddy added that journalists could use community radio, the Internet and other new media tools to reach young people with HIV/AIDS messages. "Reporting about what is happening at the regional level would help formulate an informed national policy response and co-coordinated national action," he said (ANI/NewKerala.com, 10/27).