BBG networks mark World AIDS Day
To mark World AIDS Day on December 1, the networks of the BBG provided unique reporting, exceptional programing and special events.
At the Foreign Press Center in Washington, D.C., Voice of America hosted a screening of its award-winning documentary, AIDS: Living in the Shadows, followed by a prestigious panel of experts. The 30-minute-long documentary, which examines the stigma that makes its victims outcasts even within their own families, is introduced by Elton John and was streamed live in 23 embassies around the world.
The Office of Cuba Broadcasting provided a variety of reports on the disease in Cuba. For example, on Radio Martí’s “Cuba al Dia” program, host Tomas Cardoso interviewed an AIDS patient in Camaguey who spoke about the lack of medicines and dietary accommodations available to him and other AIDS patients in Cuba.
Radio Free Asia reported on the Chinese government’s release of rights lawyer Chang Boyang who had been detained for 100 days. Chang has been helping AIDS victims protect their rights. The network also reported on a Chinese airline that was sued after refusing to allow HIV-positive passengers on plane.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s infographic on HIV rates around the world & AIDS related deaths in 2013 revealed interesting information about HIV rates in their broadcast region.