UNDP Program “Support to the Government in Response to HIV in the KR” suggests improving legislation to strengthen mass media response to HIV epidemic.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Oct. 29, 2009) – Amendments to media and advertising legislation aimed at improving well-being of the nation and addressing state and social interests will be discussed on November 2 at the round table in Park Hotel, Bishkek.
Organizer of the event, UNDP Program on HIV/AIDS, invited representatives from Presidential Administration, Government Office, Parliament, key ministries, civil society organizations, mass media and donor community. Participants will discuss amendments, which suggest a better spell-out of the role of mass media and public advertising in educating and promoting healthy lifestyle.
In particular, amendments propose introduction of a minimal amount of broadcasting time and printing space devoted to public advertising in the media outlets. They also highlight the need in a specialized institution tasked to monitor placement of social advertising in the media.
At the same time, authors of the amendments recommend creating favorable conditions and tax exemptions for media outlets actively involved in promoting and placing social ads.
Currently, public advertising can be placed free-of-charge in none of the Kyrgyz media outlets.
“Mass media play a key role in educating, shaping behavior and formulating public opinion about issues related to HIV and AIDS, as well as other social problems,” said Meerim Sarybaeva, specialist of the UNDP Program “Support to the Government in Response to HIV in the KR.”
“Because public advertising intends to draw attention to social problems and propose solutions, it can deliver accurate information to target audiences,” Meerim Sarybaeva adds.
Experts point out that production of public advertising, especially for TV, is very costly. At the same time, many organizations working on social issues often cannot afford placement of public service announcements in the media. This is why socials advertising has to have legislative support in order to appear in the Kyrgyz media more often, experts conclude.
Learn more from Elina Karakulova at ek@aids.undp.kg or 663691.
