HIV/AIDS and the South African Media: Workplace Policies and Programmes

Introduction

This exploratory study has been designed to provide preliminary data regarding whether and to what extent South African media institutions have responded tothe need to develop corporate policies and strategies to delimit the impact of HIV/AIDS and to protect the rights of employees with HIV/AIDS.

This report explores the extent to which media institutions have thus far developed a proactive response to managing the epidemic through the introduction of workplace policies and programmes, and the extent to which these contribute to prevention as well as to upholding the rights of employees in relation to HIV/AIDS. It also sets out to ascertain whether HIV/AIDS is recognised by management as a threat to business which impacts directly on productivity, costs and markets.

The research findings are supplemented by a set of basic recommendations and guidelines, resource documents and sample policies for the promotion of appropriate policies and practice within media formations.