"Social movements have generated interest in development circles since the mid-1990s as relatively independent expressions of civil society, mobilising people to set their own development priorities and agendas for issues as diverse as water privatisation, neo-liberal trade policies, the rights of w ... omen and indigenous peoples, and access to HIV anti-retroviral treatment. In the case of HIV and AIDS, independent civil-society initiative has been key to successful responses. Social movements of people living with HIV and AIDS, gay men, women, sex workers, and people who inject drugs have developed innovative institutions and responses to HIV and AIDS, and organised against stigma and discrimination. By bringing people together and advocating effectively, social movements have amplified voices of people most affected by HIV, enabling them to influence governments and decision makers." (Abstract) more

"This paper is a briefing for health practitioners, TB programmers, policymakers, media professionals and people affected by TB. Based on an analysis of media coverage of TB, it argues that health professionals and TB specialists should be supported to engage more effectively with the media so that ... the media can, in turn, play a more critical role in national and international responses to public health concerns. The briefing aims to raise awareness of TB and to raise its media profile, while at the same time highlighting key obstacles to effective reporting on TB and other health issues. It concludes with practical suggestions as to how the relationship between the health and media sectors can be strengthened to enhance the media’s contribution to global efforts to control TB. The paper highlights findings from a content analysis of print media in 12 countries undertaken in 2006 by the Panos Global AIDS Programme. It also draws upon recent reports and initiatives around health journalism. Although 7 of the 12 countries included in the analysis are ranked among the highest TB burden countries in the world, the research found little coverage of TB in local or national print media." (Executive summary) more