Think Positive: The Asian Face of HIV/AIDS

Participating broadcast producers created 11 segments that each focused on the implications of the pandemic in the contributing producer's home country, emphasising the human or social dimension. The productions explored issues such as stigma and discrimination, living positively, gender issues and access to medicines.

Two production workshops were held in Bangkok, Thailand where producers interacted with Asia regional offices, consulted experts, shared story ideas and commented on the productions. The workshops provided an opportunity for broadcasters to come together to learn from previous HIV/AIDS-related productions and share ideas in preparation for the development of HIV/AIDS reports in broadcasters' respective countries. As well as creating the television series, the programme also aimed to raise awareness about the role of the media in HIV/AIDS prevention. "HIV/AIDS prevention is not the sole responsibility of the government and health workers in China. Media has a role to play in preventing what could be a large disaster in the most populous country in the world," said Mr Xie Zheng, Sr. Producer, China Central Television International.

Completed productions were available for exchange between the participating broadcasters as well as made available rights-free to all ABU member broadcasters.

UNDP's Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme supported the project by providing content advisory assistance and by co-ordinating responses and support from sister UN agencies and other international developmental organisations. The Kaiser Family Foundation, provided substantive expertise on HIV/AIDS and approaches to reporting on the disease while MTV International played the role of executive producer, providing technical support to the participating producers and drawing on the experiences of its long-running Staying Alive campaign.

HIV/AIDS