2004-3-14
This is Robert Cohen with the VOA Special English Development
Report.
More than three-million people died of AIDS last year. The
estimate is that five-million others became infected with H.I.V.,
the virus that causes the disease. And there are warnings about what
could happen unless much more is done to increase efforts to prevent
AIDS. Right now, researchers say around forty-million people are
living with the virus. The United Nations says there could be
forty-five million new cases by two-thousand-ten.
Public health experts say the media have a central part to play
in the fight against AIDS. They point to drama series on television
and radio in a number of countries.
In Ivory Coast, for example, the weekly show "AIDS in the City"
has been on television since nineteen-ninety-four. The program tells
stories with actors in an effort to educate people about AIDS.
Recently, broadcasts of the show were extended into nine other
countries in West and Central Africa.
Researchers say about two-thirds
of people in South Africa watch the show "Soul City." This program
has dealt with other social issues in addition to H.I.V/AIDS. These
include violence against women and alcoholism. "Soul City" also
began in nineteen-ninety-four.
A show created with BBC help has become one of India's
most-watched dramas. In "Detective Vijay," the main hero is a
policeman with H.I.V. A United Nations report says the program
appears to be educating people. The report says eighty-five percent
of those questioned had learned something new about AIDS from the
show.
But people who watch have yet to learn how Detective Vijay became
infected. One of the main ways to get AIDS is through sex. Many
people consider public discussion of such issues culturally
unacceptable.
In China, millions watch a daily program called "Ordinary
People." A non-profit group based in the United States helped create
this drama show about social issues. The group is called Population
Communications International. P.C.I. assists governments, local
groups, and radio and television stations to develop media
campaigns. The group supports what it calls the magic of
entertainment for social change.
P.C.I. is on the Internet at population.org. The mailing address
is: P.C.I., seven-seven-seven United Nations Plaza, fifth floor, New
York, New York, one-zero-zero-one-seven, U-S-A.
This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill
Moss. This is Robert Cohen.