Society
Positive waves on State radio about AIDS
By Shan Juan (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-11 08:13
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A radio show co-hosted by volunteers with HIV is to be launched on a State network to raise awareness of AIDS and help curb discrimination against sufferers.
Positive Talk will be broadcast live on China National Radio every Saturday from next weekend. The show, which will invite listeners to call in, is expected to attract an audience of 300 million.
"It's a giant step forward and shows the government's resolution in fighting HIV and AIDS, and discrimination," said Zhou Yi, who is HIV positive and will host the debut show. "It was unbelievable for HIV and AIDS sufferers to appear on a State-owned radio network years ago to talk about their lives and experiences."
State broadcasters have previously used public service announcements featuring celebrities like basketball star Yao Ming to push the message of safe sex.
"Positive Talk will not simply be dialogue between the HIV positive and negative, but a platform for all to share experiences and pick up prevention information," said Liu Jing, who will host the show with the volunteers.
"I truly believe the program will be an important milestone in the fight against the epidemic," said Subinay Nandy, country director of the United Nation Development Program, which funds the show.
