Anti-AIDS Commercials in Chile Spark Media Backlash

The Chilean government's media campaign against HIV/AIDS hit a snag recently when three leading Chilean TV stations refused to air commercials that were launched for World AIDS Day along with radio jingles, pamphlets and bus-stop posters. The four commercials feature a married man who has a lover, a teenager having unprotected sex, a housewife whose husband is cheating on her, and a gay couple in bed. The channels said the spots, which promote condom use, violate their editorial policies. Two other channels aired the spots.

Throughout Latin America, homophobia is one of the biggest obstacles to proper treatment of the estimated 2 million people with HIV/AIDS, a study by the Pan American Health Organization said. The Chilean Catholic Church, like the Vatican, has objected to the government's emphasis on condoms as a prevention measure.

"We're talking about people dying here," said government spokesperson Francisco Vidal. "I have my own opinion about infidelity and homosexuality, but they exist. So how do we deal with a problem like this? Looking at the ceiling or dealing with it?"

Roughly 4,000 Chileans have died of AIDS and 28,000 have HIV, according to government figures. Chile's government has promised free antiretroviral treatment for all HIV/AIDS patients through donations from international organizations.

The commercials show people looking in the mirror, asking themselves why they are not taking precautions against HIV/AIDS. The spots are based on studies showing Chileans are well informed about the causes of HIV/AIDS but do little to prevent it.

Back to other news for December 4, 2003