The Important Role of Mass Media in the Diffusion of Accurate Information About AIDS

This paper explores the vital role of mass media in diminishing the lack of consensus among those at risk for AIDS and those who treat them. It examines the perceptions of these groups with regard to the seriousness of the AIDS threat, what people at risk are really doing to protect themselves and o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of homosexuality 1991-01, Vol.21 (1-2), p.63-76
Main Authors: Reardon, Kathleen K., Richardson, Jean L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & control
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - psychology
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - transmission
AIDS
AIDS-Related Complex - prevention & control
AIDS-Related Complex - psychology
AIDS-Related Complex - transmission
AIDS/HIV
Attitude of Health Personnel
Biological and medical sciences
Education
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Health Education
HIV
Homosexuality - psychology
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Information Dissemination
Male
Mass Media
Miscellaneous
News Coverage
Psychology and medicine
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Public Opinion
Risk Factors
Sexual Behavior
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper explores the vital role of mass media in diminishing the lack of consensus among those at risk for AIDS and those who treat them. It examines the perceptions of these groups with regard to the seriousness of the AIDS threat, what people at risk are really doing to protect themselves and others, and the accuracy and objectivity of media reports about AIDS. Results indicate that there is a disarming lack of consensus among those people who can do the most to influence the spread of AIDS. Results also indicate that those people at greatest risk for AIDS and for spreading the disease distrust the accuracy and objectivity of the media. The authors argue that consensus is required for a concerted fight on AIDS and that the mass media offer an effective avenue for encouraging it. They also explore methods for regaining media respect among high risk groups with regard to AIDS reporting.
ISSN:0091-8369
1540-3602
DOI:10.1300/J082v21n01_06