South African Union of Journalists (SAUJ) AIDS Policy

(also available from the SAUJ website)

Preamble

Whilst recognising that there are circumstances unique to HIV infection, the fundamental principle to be applied is that HIV infection and AIDS should be approached on the same basis as any other serious condition.

Policy

• The Union seeks to ensure that employers provide accurate information and education on HIV and AIDS, as well as access to counselling and referral; after appropriate consultation with the Union.

  Such education shall be provided to assist in, inter alia, the avoidance of discriminatory and unfair treatments and attitudes in the workplace; the provision of information to ensure appropriate, accurate and non-discriminatory reporting on HIV and AIDS; and the provision of adequate and appropriate information for the maintenance of a healthy workforce.

• The Union seeks to ensure that employees with HIV or AIDS shall be protected against discrimination, victimisation, harassment, degrading or inhumane treatment, and punishment in the workplace. Should such treatment occur, the Union demands that the offending person/s shall face a disciplinary enquiry in line with agreed procedures.

  Should such person/s be found guilty, he/she/they shall be required to undergo appropriate counseling apart from any other disciplinary action which may be appropriate.

• No person shall be required to undergo pre-employment testing for HIV. Where such testing is required as a condition for the enjoyment of employment benefits, employers shall ensure that this condition is non-discriminatory as between HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening conditions.
• No employee shall be required to undergo an HIV test at the request, or upon the initiative of an employer.
• No person shall be barred or dismissed from employment or otherwise prejudiced purely on the grounds of their having HIV/AIDS.
• No employee shall be denied appropriate alternative employment or training or other opportunities which exist merely on the basis of HIV infection or AIDS.
• Employees who are clinically ill or medically unfit for work shall enjoy benefits in terms of the relevant conditions of employment as negotiated from time to time between the Union and the employer.
• No person shall be required by an employer to disclose to the employer his/her HIV status, or the HIV status of another person. Should such disclosure take place, the employer shall carry out disciplinary measures as outlined in clause 2 of this Policy.
• Joint employer/Union committees shall oversee the implementation and maintenance of this policy.
• The Union undertakes to notify all employers of this Policy and agrees to work towards the inclusion of this Policy in any existing/future agreements with employers.
• The Union shall review this Policy annually.

Reporting HIV/AIDS SAUJ Guidelines

Code of Conduct

ACCURACY AND RELEVANCY

Clause (iii) of the SAUJ's Code of Conduct states that journalists shall ensure that the information they disseminate is fair and accurate, and calls on journalists to avoid the expression of comment and conjecture as established fact and falsification by distortion, selection or misrepresentation.

Clause (x) states that a journalist shall not originate material which encourages discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, creed, gender or sexual orientation.

In light of the above, and accepting that journalists are in a very powerful position to influence the public's attitude towards HIV and AIDS and that there are still a large number of people ignorant of the facts surrounding HIV and AIDS, journalists shall ensure their stories are accurate and avoid sensationalism.

Journalists shall seek to avoid irrelevant references to race, colour, creed, gender or sexual orientation when reporting HIV and AIDS. Such references entrench existing prejudices.

In line with the SAUJ's policy on press freedom, journalists shall seek to ensure wide, balanced and informed coverage of HIV and AIDS.

PRIVACY

Clause (vi) of the Code of Conduct states that subject to justification of overriding considerations of public interest, a journalist shall do nothing which entails intrusion into private grief and distress.

Journalists shall observe the legitimate right of persons with HIV/AIDS to privacy and confidentiality. The identities of persons with HIV/AIDS and those of their friends and families shall be used only if permission has been granted by those concerned.

Style Guide