| Abstract: |
The researcher carried out an empirical study to determine "The Impact of Media Re¬porting of HIV/AIDS on People Living with the Virus in Ebonyi State ". Survey method was used and structured questionnaire was also used to elicit responses from the respon¬dents. The respondents included one hundred and sixty drawn from four support groups out of eleven support groups of people living with HIV in Ebonyi State. The study was anchored on the Agenda setting theory. Stratified sampling technique was used. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages, while the research hypotheses were tested using t-test estimator. The findings revealed that people living with HIV in Ebonyi State get information more from the mass media than from other sources. Furthermore, they practise what they learn from the mass media that address their problems, thereby making them overcome both self and societal stigmatization. Based on the findings, six recommendations were made, one of which is that the media should use more friendly language in addressing those living with HIV/AIDS in order to lessen and prevent psychological depression of the carriers. |
