A Flat-footed Effort (Press, 22 May 1987)

On 22 May 1987, A.K. Grant reflected on a panel discussion that followed the airing of "A.1.D.5.: The New Lepers," a programme about A.I.D.S. which was broadcast by the 8.8.C. channel. The discussion highlighted the complexities and misconceptions surrounding A.I.D.S., particularly in response to a caller's question about whether lesbians could contract the virus. This question led to a failure by the panel to adequately address its implications regarding the use of condoms and the broader issues of sexual health. The programme itself was described as dated and uninspired, featuring presenter Jeremy Paxman, who had a distinctive rhetorical style. Among the more bizarre moments was an interview with Adrian Rogers, a controversial doctor advocating extreme measures for individuals testing positive for A.I.D.S., suggesting they should be exiled and hanged, though Grant noted that this representation may have been exaggerated only slightly. Another segment featured "David," a homosexual man who dismissed the idea that A.I.D.S. was a divine punishment, though his manner of delivery was humorously likened to a character created by Peter Cook. The panel discussion that followed, moderated by Brett Dumbleton, included contributions from various experts. Warren Lindberg, director of the A.I.D.S. Foundation, was noted for his composed and empathetic approach. Medical professionals Skegg and EllisPegler also showed rational perspectives, contrasting the atypical media portrayal of the disease, which often instilled a sense of panic. Grant compared the fear surrounding A.I.D.S. to historical pandemics, noting that although A.I.D.S. deaths had not yet reached the scale of the aftermaths of major wars, the societal reaction was disproportionate and driven by hypocrisy. Grant mentioned a Health Department representative named Bette Kill, drawing attention to the irony of her name in the context of the discussions about A.I.D.S. The author critiqued an advertisement prepared for Australian television aimed at educating the public about A.I.D.S., stating it merely spread fear rather than helpful information. He expressed concern that such public health approaches contributed to the existing hysteria about sexual health in Western societies, rather than alleviating misconceptions and fears. Overall, the discussion and the programme exemplified the challenges faced in addressing A.I.D.S. amid societal stigma and misunderstanding.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand