Caribbean media take on HIV

Recently I mentioned a successful South Korean soap opera that attempts to reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by HIV positive people there. I also learned today about a more comprehensive media coalition in the Caribbean that strives to encourage good HIV-related programming. The Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS (CBMP) comprises 43 media entities in 23 countries and distributes its productions royalty-free across the region. CBMP is about to issue awards for the following projects, according to Kaiser Family Foundation:

• Grenada Cablevision Ltd., Community Channel 6 (Grenada) – The Wave of Tomorrow: It Can Happen to Me A 60-minute video documentary on the effects of HIV and AIDS with specific emphasis on Grenada’s response to the epidemic.
• Caribbean Media Corporation (Regional) – Stars for Hope IIIStars III, a half-hour documentary film that blends music and performance, will use the voices and images of Caribbean artists and West Indies cricketers to focus on the link between substance abuse and HIV, featuring the story of a former entertainer who lived on the streets after becoming addicted to drugs.
• CVM Jamaica – Sparking the ConsciousnessAs part of a three month campaign focusing on HIV prevention and behavioral change, a forum on World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) 2007 will be held in Kingston, Jamaica to focus on the following HIV-related themes – protection, testing, living with HIV/AIDS, and discrimination.
• Great Belize Productions (Belize, TV Channel 5) – HIV and Vulnerable Populations: MSMs and CSWsA television news feature/documentary production featuring individuals in vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and commercial sex workers (CSW) and organizations that work with these groups to highlight issues related to HIV/AIDS.
• National Broadcasting Corporation of St. Vincent & the Grenadines – Youths Dubbing/Rapping against HIV/AIDSA competition with the popular medium of dub to develop specific messages in musical form for broadcasting during HIV programming. Winners will have opportunities to serve as youth ambassadors at HIV/AIDS events.

Looks like good some worthy winners.