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Agartala , Jul 05, 2024, Rashmi Shil

Agartala Jul 05: Aiming to fight HIV/AIDS which seems to have become a major health issue in the state, a larger alliance encompassing all sections of the society is utmost important.

It is high time to be proactive and not just sit back to see the number of active cases rising every day, that too alarmingly.

Noting that the media and the journalists across Tripura can play an important role in creating awareness about the infection and its management, Tripura AIDS Control Society in collaboration with Tripura Web Media Forum jointly organized a one- day program on the Role of Journalists in AIDS Control on Friday at the Sukanta Academy Auditorium.

The session aimed to realize the journalists to be at the forefront of the fight against the infection while taking up the special responsibility of informing the public with right information.

At the beginning of the days workshop, Dr Samarpita Dutta, Project Director, Tripura AIDS Control Society delivered the welcome address emphasizing the growing concern over AIDS among the youth and children due to addiction.

She warned that this disease could have severe consequences for the next generation, urging all the members of the media fraternity to actively participate in creating awareness about AIDS prevention.

Professor Dr Sanjib Debbarma, Director, Health Services, echoed these sentiments. He stressed that lack of awareness contributes to the spread of AIDS and called upon journalists to use their platforms to educate the public.

The joint director of the health department, Soumitra Mallick, led a discussion on the specific role journalists can play in controlling the epidemic.

Tripura Journalist Union President Pranab Sarkar urged the journalists to play an active role in educating and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in their own areas across the state.

Tripura Web Media Forum Secretary, Abhishek Dey in his address expressed gratitude towards the organizers for organizing the days valuable workshop.

In the second part of the workshop, the Technical Session saw detailed, elaborative and informative discussion various topics including Basic on HIV/AIDS by Resource Person Dr Kanak Choudhury, Deputy Medical Superintendent, AGMC, Overall scenario of HIV/AIDS in Tripura by Subhrajit Bhattacharjee, Joint Director, IEC, TSACS, Ethical issues of specialized Reporting by Resource Person Dr Biswendu Bhattacharjee, Principal Correspondent, The Times of India and Ethical issues of specialized Reporting by Resource Person, Manas Paul, Executive Editor, Tripura Times.

While Dr Kanak Choudhury discussed the medical issues related to the infection, its symptoms and cure, Resource Person Manas Paul highlighted that the media is an influential and far reaching stakeholder given that every news item on this sensitive topic must be written, telecasted or published after having a thorough knowledge of the Laws framed in this context.

Journalists can stimulate open and vibrant public debate about issues that underpin the HIV/AIDS pandemic, such as unequal gender relations, social inequalities, stigma and cultural norms, and they are uniquely placed to help break the silence, said the Executive Editor, Tripura Times.

The event also honoured Poppy Sinha who has overcome AIDS and now leads an independent and self-reliant life.

Besides, a sensitive documentary on AIDS named AFTERMATH, created by filmmaker Birat Roy Chowdhury in collaboration with local artists was screened.

The workshop aimed to empower journalists with accurate information and encourage them to contribute actively to AIDS control efforts in Tripura.

Read the original here:
HIV/AIDS in News: Time to Bridge the Gap between Media, HIV +ve Patient and State AIDS Control Society - Tripuratimes

Parents, if you have a teenager, chances are, theyre on social media right now. In a recent Gallup survey of more than 1,500 U.S. teenagers, more than half reported spending an average of 4.8 hours per day using social media apps. As New York University social psychologist Jonathan Haidt quipped, Weve overprotected our children in the real world and under-protected them online.

Parents, can we talk about sex? Only about half of adolescents receive the amount of sex education recommended by by the federal Healthy People 2030 initiative. Its no surprise that theyre filling in the gaps following social media influencers, who often target teens and sometimes give disastrous advice.

Take 17-year-old Anna, for example. She told her primary care provider that she had recently become sexually active, and although she didnt want to get pregnant, she saw a post on social media about birth control that scared her out of using it. A few minutes after this conversation, her pregnancy test was positive.

Parents, even if your teen is not sexually active, you should make sure theyre getting accurate information about birth control. Its important for them to understand a few things:

-Birth control methods offered to teenagers are reversible, do not affect future fertility, and usually cause no side effects. Most birth control methods contain the hormones progesterone and/or estrogen that are similar to the hormone made naturally by a females ovaries.

-Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, and we frequently recommend them. There are 2 types of LARCs, the intrauterine device (IUD) that is inserted in the uterus and can remain up to 8 years; and an implant that is inserted under the skin of the upper arm and can remain for up to 4 years. IUDs can contain hormones, or are made of copper; implants contain hormones.

-The medroxyprogesterone (Depo) injection is the next most effective option, preventing pregnancy 97% of the time. A medical provider injects Depo into the arm or buttock every 3 months.

-The birth control pill, the birth control patch, and the vaginal ring are 92% effective at preventing pregnancy when used consistently. They differ in that the pill is taken by mouth daily, the patch is a sticker that is applied to the skin weekly, and the vaginal ring is inserted (like a tampon) into the vagina monthly.

-The male condom covers the penis and is 85% effective at preventing pregnancy when used consistently. The female condom (internal condom) is inserted into the vagina with one end outside the vagina and is 79% effective at preventing pregnancy. Condoms also help protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Dual methods; that is, using condoms together with a highly effective form of birth control, is recommended to prevent both pregnancy and STIs.

-If no condom was used or if the condom broke, an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) can be taken up to 3 days following intercourse, or a prescription ECP can be taken up to 5 days following intercourse.

Teenagers should talk to their PCPs before starting birth control. People with a history of blood clots in their legs or lungs or people who have migraines with aura should not use methods that contain estrogen.

Now that weve stated the facts lets look at how social media has been talking about birth control:

No. Studies have shown that birth control has minimal effect on mood. Like any medication, however, birth control can affect every patient differently.

Not usually. Females are expected to gain weight during puberty, whether they are on birth control or not. Studies have shown that the birth control pill, the birth control patch, and the vaginal ring do not result in weight gain or loss. In some females, Depo injections may increase appetite resulting in weight gain of a few pounds per year. Females who are already overweight are more likely to gain weight on Depo.

No. Birth control does not cause lasting infertility. Once an individual stops birth control, menstrual periods usually return within 3 months. Studies show that the pregnancy rate after stopping birth control is the same as the rate for those who have never been on birth control.

Never let your children get their birth control information solely from social media. Make sure to use reputable sources of online information, such as the Nemours site: kidshealth.org, or Boston Childrens Hospitals youngwomenshealth.org. Parents, youve got this!

Courtney Kaye is a pediatric resident and Rima Himelstein is an adolescent medicine specialist at Nemours Childrens Health in Delaware.

The rest is here:
Social media is talking to teens about birth control, but do they know what they're talking about? - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Smart Monkeys, Inc., theshow control specialist,has launched a new integrated solution in collaboration with Hive Media Control Ltd., a leading British expert in media control systems.

The partnership combines Smart Monkeys cutting-edge audio-visual operating platform, ISAAC, and Hive Media Controls state-of-the-art, nature-inspired media control system. Together, these technologies createan unrivalled media management experience.

Taking inspiration from natures most intelligent networks, Hive Media Control has designed a media control system that is lighter, greener, more adaptable, and cost-effective.

With its ability to support enormous resolutions and high-quality playback at extremely low power consumption, this technology completely transforms the management of media environments.

Smart Monkeys core product, ISAAC, is a powerful audio-visual workflow platform with comprehensiveCMS features. The platforms excellent reliability and user-friendly interface make it a preferred solution for managing complex AV installations.

The new integration provides a double advantage by merging ISAACsrobust, feature-rich management capabilities with Hives easy-to-use, environmentally friendly playback system. Together, these technologies will ensure cost-effectiveness while improving flexibility and minimising operational hassles.

Mark Calvert, managing director of Hive Media Control Ltd., says: We are thrilled to partner with Smart Monkeys, Inc. to bring this integrated solution to market. By merging our innovative media system with ISAACs sophisticated workflow platform, we are setting a new standard for media control and AV management.

Stephan Villet, CEO of Smart Monkeys, Inc., adds: The synergy between ISAAC and Hive Media Control is truly transformative. This collaboration will provide our users with a seamless, powerful, and eco-friendly solution that meets the evolving needs of the AV industry.

Users can now enjoy improved control and management of their media systems with the immediate availability of the integrated solution.

Smart Monkeys recently announced that it has entered a strategic partnership with PCI (Beijing Oriental Prime Connections Film/TV Technology Co., Ltd.), a leading distributor in China. Under this agreement, PCI has become the preferred distributor of the firms cutting-edge ISAAC products in Mainland China.

Go here to read the rest:
Smart Monkeys | partners with Hive Media Control - blooloop

Shortly after beginning his fourth term as prime minister last fall, Fico and his government ceased communicating with four respected independent media outlets that he deemed hostile, including TV Markza the nations most-watched station, with a 27 percent market share as well as the dailies Dennk N and SME andthe news site Aktuality.

Ficos return to power has been accompanied by an open assault on independent media, according to Mat Kostoln, editor-in-chief of Dennk N.

Since the first day after the election he has attacked journalists, calling us rats Fico has always attacked journalists, but now he is taking an even harder line, calling us his enemies and committing the entire government to doing the same, Kostoln said.

In 2018, investigative journalist Jn Kuciak and his fiance Martina Kunrov were murdered, sparking the largest protests in the country since the 1989 fall of the Communist regime and leading to Ficos resignation as PM, mid-way through his third term.

According to Kostoln, the tragedy has steeled Slovakias journalists to fight state oppression all the harder.

Slovakia still has plenty of independent media and courageous journalists, but Fico is trying very hard to silence them and intimidate them, Kostoln said. Having had the experience we did in the 1990s under [then Prime Minister Vladimr] Meiar, I believe were better prepared now than our colleagues in Hungary, for example.

See the original post:
Slovakia's Fico plots to dismantle the free press - POLITICO Europe

The Chief Justice of the Supreme of Liberia, Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh has said the lack of effective oversight/supervision of competing Social media platforms is one of the most significant game changer in mass communication and the lack of control is severely denting public confidence in the rule of law and the justice system.

"This assertion is supported by the fact that the issues surrounding free-speech and checks and balances are overwhelmingly abused by online reporters who conveniently substitute accurate reporting for misinformation and sensational headlines" she noted.

"Not forgetting the fact that not all of those reporting and posting have any formal or informal training in mass communication and do not have the slightest thought or conviction as to the damaging effect their actions have on that innumerable population segment," Chief Justice Yuoh asserted.

She made the remarks when she spoke on the theme: The Impact of the media on public perceptions of Justice System in the New Information Age. The ongoing conference is being held under the theme: Judiciary in Contemporary Times: Dispensing Justice in the New Information Age.

The Chief Justice made the statement at the ongoing International Association of Judges conference which is being held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia's Congo Town suburb, with more than 16 African Countries attending.

The five-day gathering is organized by the African Regional Group meeting and hosted by the National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia (NATJL). According to her, the sub judice rule bars lawyers, party litigants and other individuals from speaking on matters still pending and undermine before the courts.

"Notwithstanding, we observed that mass media institutions continue to discuss matters that are before the courts, rendering opinions as to the guilt or innocence of party litigants and painting a picture of their ruling a judge. This act continues even after the conclusion of trial, when the decision of the court is finally rendered," Chief Justice Yuoh added.

As example of media influence of public perception' she said' the recent decision rendered by the Criminal Assizes "B" first Judicial Circuit, Montserrado in the case Republic of Liberia V. Lucas K. Richards in which the prosecution indicted Lucas K. Richards for aggravated assault and Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder, felonies of the second degree. The private prosecutrix, a young Librarian female. Statistics show that the population of Liberia presently stands at approximately 5.5million, with over half comprising those of youthful age.

In plain sight, it is the fact that the youths are the fanatics of the internet, social media, etc and like any modern society globally, Liberian youths are hooked on this platform.

Imagine therefore, the said case involving a youthful Liberian female. I can tell you that the general public and the media ran amuck with the story and rendered judgement of guilty against the defendant Lucas K. Richards, an adult white American National before the matter was adjudicated by the trial court.

It therefore took no stretch of the imagination on the reaction of the general public to include this large youthful population, the mass media and this time around, some legislators, when the trial judge having reviewed the evidence, held that the state did not prove the charges as alleged in the indictment, found the defendant not guilty and dismissed the charges against him. Media institutions and practitioners, bloggers, influencers and other internet users began to make denigrating statements against the judge and the judiciary Branch of government as a whole without so much as reading the trial judge's final ruling in the case.

Another example of media influence public perception, she named the case where quite recently, the Republic of Liberia lost a Criminal case involving four defendants charged by the government with money laundering, drug trafficking and Criminal Conspiracy before the Criminal Assizes "C", the Court responsible for hearing cases of that nature.

The empaneled jury found the defendants not guilty on all charges, meaning that the State failed and lost its case. Reeling from this below, the then Justice Minister in a press conference proceeded to criticized and ridiculed the entire Judicial Branch of Government and stated in part that "It was worrisome and shameful for the Courts to be setting hardcore criminals free in the face of overwhelming evidence and that the Judiciary was compromised."

The statement made by the then Minister of Justice was widely circulated by various media organizations with thousands of Liberians describing the Judiciary as inherently corrupt. This act led to the High Court adjudging both the Minister of Justice and the then Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism in Criminal contempt. Several other instances of this nature have occurred over the years.

The head of the Judiciary said, it is time we change the narrative and create media contents that are well-researched and that reflect the true happenings of events in the institutions covered instead of publishing sensational stories merely for fame and likes or in the case of youthful Liberia, just to prove one's relevancy, although there is none to begin with.

"I believe the enormous influence that the media wields especially in most democratic societies must be used to propagate or disseminate factual information from authentic sources" Chief Justice Yuoh added. This singular act by media institutions could shape the public's perception of Justice in this new Information Age. This is not always the case.

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She added that the Justice system has many actors having direct and indirect interests, but the courts are its Central actors with the responsibility of upholding the rule of law.

However, understanding of the working of the courts is practically non-existent, and the courts cannot be teacher of the law, whether procedurally or otherwise.

Hence, those practicing before the courts defending their clients have the responsibility of dealing fairly with their clients by first honestly and boldly explaining to them the pros and cons of their case vis a visa the law, and not to create the false impression that their client's' plight lies squarely within the discretion of a judge and not on the law Chief Yuoh explained.

She further that the key takeaway from the discussion is that in the new Information Age, the media has a huge impact on how the public perceives Justice in every nation that has a justice system, whether or not that nation is developed, underdeveloped or undeveloped.

The new information or digital age is powerful, it is rapidly expanding and it is here to stay with its "Idea that access to and the control of information is the defining characteristic of the current era in human civilization" Chief Justice Yuoh concluded.

Meanwhile the program is currently being attended by Chief Justice of Ghana, Judges from Sierra Leone, South Africa, Guinea, Nigeria, Europe, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Gabon Ethiopia among several others.

See the original post here:
Liberia: Lack of Mass Media Control Denting Public Confidence in the Justice System - AllAfrica - Top Africa News