Media urged to tackle HIV/AIDS issues carefully

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, June 17:

Speakers at a programme today said media houses and reporters need to be more sensitive while reporting on issues related to HIV/AIDS. Shanti Lama of Shakti Milan Kendra, speaking at an orientation on ‘HIV/AIDS: Some Perspectives’, said reporters need to do an in-depth analyses before filing reports. Advocate Meghraj Pok-hrel said the right to confidentiality should be maintained while reporting. Dr Shyam Sunder Mishra, acting director at the National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, said HIV is not just a health problem but a national issue that needs to be tackled sensitively. Manish Gautam, a reporter of Samay Weekly, said the government and NGOs are equally responsible for not providing correct information on HIV/AIDS.