I was recently in Barbados for a Live Up the show programming (iliveup.com) workshop for journalists, organised by the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/Aids & the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Usually when you attend such functions you can't wait to finish for the day, but this one held from the 27-28th of October was quite exceptional.
The format was very interactive and allowed media practitioners from Antigua (yours truly), Belize, British Virgin islands, Cayman islands, Turks and Caicos,St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Tobago, Trinidad and not least Nevis to learn from each country's experiences.
Much kudos to the organisers and various speakers who gave of their time and experiences about the need to educate our audiences of the importance of protecting against HIV infection.
My memories will forever be enriched by the brave HIV+ persons who came to speak to us about how as journalists we should look beyond the story and meeting deadlines. The negative images in the past of HIV infected persons have played a part in fostering stigma and discrimination, but nowadays the message should be of love, protection and respect!
Remember it is a chronic illness and if you reject someone because of your misinformation, you may just find yourself in the same place if we don't change our sexual habits.
Get tested today.
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