Calling all journalists and arts writers! Life Beats: Arts. Journalism. HIV is a collaborative project by Drama for Life and the HIV&AIDS Media Project.
Life Beats is a workshop designed to explore parallels between traditional health reporting and arts journalism as they engage with HIV. The workshop brings together journalists from both the arts and news reporting and offers all participants a closer understanding of the HIV epidemic and the performing arts. With its two-pronged approach, Life Beats has something to offer to both news journalists wanting to access the arts as well as to arts journalists who are confronted with issues around HIV and AIDS.
SESSIONS:
HIV in health reporting: This introductory session provides important context by giving an overview of the HIV epidemic and how it has been covered in the news. This “audit” sets the scene for exploring the dynamics of writing about HIV both as news and in the performing arts. The session concludes with basic guidelines on writing about HIV.
Unpacking HIV: In the second session we delve deeper to explore some of the technicalities underlying the epidemiology of HIV. Led by and experienced HIV practitioner, this session offers all participants an opportunity to ask pressing questions about HIV and to come to a better understanding of HIV treatment and prevention.
Decoding toolkit and ethics: This more practical session will give participants the conceptual and technical “tools” they need to understand, interpret and convey HIV-related news and performance. It will also cover the ethical challenges posed by HIV and AIDS. Participants will be given guidance on how to deal with issues of stigma, disclosure, confidentiality and working with minors. Here we have invited Edwin Cameron to an interview with Adrienne Sichel in which some of the challenges and opportunities of covering HIV will be explored.
HIV in the performing arts: After having reviewed the basic elements of reporting, performing arts and HIV, participants will now have the opportunity to put their skills to the test as they watch and analyse performing art.
Writing workshop: To conclude the practical exercise, and apply the skills gained during the workshop, participants will write a preview, review or think piece based on the performance and interactions of the previous evening.
Click on the image to enlarge:
Attendance is free of charge. To apply, send a short motivation to Miriam.Behrendt@wits.ac.za.
Download: full programme
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For queries: call 011 717 4733
Website: http://www.dramaforlife.co.za
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