Can media help build a more tolerant and open-minded society?
JK: The most important role for the media is to talk about the medical process and rights of each individual to proper care, treatment and health services. Media outlets can and should demystify HIV and AIDS and talk honestly about what the science says and evidence shows and so reduce the stigma. It is a problem in most societies and communities worldwide—and we shouldn’t hide it or be in denial. EJC: Why is there is so little coverage or follow-up of MTCT stories? JK: Actually on the media coverage of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS, the journalists will be able to tell the story much easier and also document the process as a pregnant woman gives birth and if the baby is tested there is a beginning-middle-end to the story in terms of PMTCT. But of course if that mother is HIV positive, she is going to be HIV positive for the rest of her life and what’s the father’s status may or not be known or what’s the status of other children in the household is may or may
