Positive Life NSW

Making people aware of the risk of HIV and the need for public and private action to end stigma and discrimination is essential, and the media have an important role in helping disseminate that information. 

Positive Life NSW encourages media representatives to take reasonable steps to ensure their reporting of HIV issues is fair, balanced and non-sensationalised. Choosing accurate and non-stigmatising language, respecting privacy and providing fair, honest and balanced discussion of scientific issues are key steps to the best possible reporting on these important issues.

Here we provide some essential contacts to help you ensure fair and ethical reporting of HIV issues.

NAPWA – National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS
National representative body for people living with HIV. HIV treatments advocacy, care and support (Centrelink, DSP, Medicare, PBS), education, international.
Tel: 02 8568 0300
Email: admin@napwa.org.au 
Web: www.napwa.org.au
Media and Communications Officer: Paul Kidd, 0438 203 754

ACON – AIDS Council of NSW
HIV prevention, counselling, peer support, gay and lesbian health, Asian project, Indigenous, women.
Tel: 02 9206 2000
Email: acon@acon.org.au
Web: http://www.acon.org.au/
Media and Communications Manager: Michael Badorrek, 0400 358 109

AFAO – Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations
National peak organisation representing HIV partnership organisations Australia-wide. HIV prevention, health promotion, policy development, international work.
Tel: 02 9557 9399 
Web: http://www.afao.org.au/
Media Officer: Phil Davey, 0414 867 188

NCHECR – National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research
National research centre based at University of NSW. HIV epidemiology (statistics, trends, national and state surveillance data), clinical trials in HIV, hepatitis and sexually-transmissible diseases.
Tel: 02 9385 0900 
Web: http://www.nchecr.unsw.edu.au/
Media enquiries: Prof Andrew Grulich

NCHSR – National Centre in HIV Social Research
National research centre based at University of NSW. Social research into HIV, hepatitis and related diseases. Social, sexual and related factors affecting HIV transmission, gay men’s sexual practices.
Tel: 02 9385 6776 
Email: nchsr@unsw.edu.au 
Web: nchsr.arts.unsw.edu.au
Media enquiries: Prof John de Wit

ASHM – Australasian Society for HIV Medicine
National body representing clinicians and health workers in the HIV and viral hepatitis fields. Representation, policy development and training, development of national HIV treatment guidelines, annual conference.
Tel: 02 8204 0700
Email: ashm@ashm.org.au
Web: http://www.ashm.org.au/ 

NSW Health
Tel: 02 9391 9000 

Department of Health and Ageing (Commonwealth)
Tel: 02 6289 1555 

Scarlet Alliance
National sex workers advocacy organisation.
Tel: 02 9326 9455 
Email: info@scarletalliance.org.au 
Web: http://www.scarletalliance.org.au/
Executive Officer: Janelle Fawkes 

AIVL – Australian IV League
National intravenous drug users’ advocacy organisation.
Tel: 02 6279 1600 
Web: http://www.aivl.org.au/
Executive Officer: Annie Madden 

PozHet – Positive Heterosexuals
State-based support network for heterosexuals living with HIV and their families.
Tel: 02 9395 0444
Web: http://www.pozhet.org.au/ 

HALC – HIV/AIDS Legal Centre
Community legal centre specialising in HIV-related legal matters.
Tel: 02 9206 2060 
Web: halc.org.au 

MHAHS – Multicultural HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Service
Bilingual/bicultural support, education information and referral for people from non-English-speaking backgrounds.
Tel: 02 9550 6815 
Web: http://www.multiculturalhivhepc.net.au/ 

Hepatitis Australia (Australian Hepatitis Council)
National advocacy organisation for people with viral hepatitis.
Tel: 02 6232 4257 
Web: http://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/

Resources

NAPWA HIV Media Digest – Email digest of HIV-related media from Australian and selected overseas sources, produced three times per week (Mon/Wed/Fri). Free subscription. 

Treataware – NAPWA-auspiced clinical trials database and HIV health information. 

HIV Futures – Large-scale social research project examining the lived experience of people living with HIV/AIDS in Australia. 

UNAIDS – Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS. Comprehensive information about the global HIV pandemic including country-by-country reports. 

Aidsmap (UK) – Comprehensive and authoritative UK-based site with information about treatments, side effects, research, and many other HIV-related issues. 

Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation (US) – Media Resources – Health-focused resources for media representatives, including substantial HIV media guide and webcasts/transcripts of major international AIDS conferences.  

Please note: Contact details are provided as a courtesy to media representatives. Positive Life NSW gives no warranty as to their accuracy or completeness.