Notes to broadcasters
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There are many mistaken views and ideas about HIV/AIDS. These views are damaging to the people who have the disease and to the community at large. Take the opportunity to inform your listeners about the facts on HIV/AIDS. Interview local health specialists to find out the most common myths in your listening area; you can then use your programs to show these myths to be untrue. Try to find innovative ways to present the information. The following question and answer game show is one example of a lively but informative format. See item number 2 in this package (HIV/AIDS: Myths and facts) for more myths and facts to include in a show of this kind.
Script
Gloria:
Quick-to-respond, assertive woman
Margaret:
Gloria’s shy and sensitive younger sister
Atiba:
Older man. Bit of a troublemaker.
Announcer:
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the show! I’m your host, George Mano. We have 2 extraordinary teams today and I’d like to introduce them to you right now.
On team number 1 – Sam and Atiba. Sam, I understand you and Atiba are from the same village, and you’ve been friends for many years, correct?
Atiba:
That’s right, George. Friends from day one.
Announcer:
And team number 2 – Gloria and Margaret. Gloria and Margaret were our winners last week when we tested the players’ knowledge of famous political figures. Today we’ll be testing your knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Welcome everybody.
All the players at once:
Thank you, thank you…
SOUND EFFECTS: SOUND OF MICROPHONE BEING TAPPED (Atiba is hitting the microphone for attention.)
Announcer:
Okay, it sounds as though our contestants are anxious to get going. Are we ready to start?!…Here are the rules: When I ask a question, you must wait until I finish it. You may then press the buzzer to deliver the answer. You get one point for every correct answer. If your answer is incorrect, you don’t get any points. If you buzz too early, you lose a point. As I said, today we’ll be asking you true or false questions about HIV/AIDS.
Margaret:
What? Excuse me?
(as if just awakened, clearing her throat)
Gloria:
(whispering)We’re starting…
Announcer:
Let’s begin with our first question. Players listen carefully – here it is: Can you get AIDS by drinking from a glass used by someone who has…
SOUND EFFECTS: BUZZ-Z
Announcer:
Gloria, I must remind you that you have to wait until I finish the question. Sorry, minus one point for your team. The question goes to Team 2. Sam, if you drink from a glass that was used by someone who is already infected by HIV, will you be infected?
Sam:
Umm…yes, I think so … Yes!
Announcer:
I’m sorry, Sam. That answer is wrong. That’s a common mistake though. The main ways to pass on the HIV virus are: by having unprotected sex, by the transfusion of blood from an HIV positive person, or a mother can infect her baby through birth or breastfeeding. All right, Team 2, no points earned this time. Next question: AIDS has no cure. True or False?
SOUND EFFECTS: BUZZ-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z
Atiba:
False. We have a cure for almost anything.
Announcer:
I’m sorry, Atiba. Sadly, there is no cure for AIDS. Next question: Can you tell if someone has AIDS just by looking at …?
SOUND EFFECTS: BUZZ!!! (Margaret has pressed the buzzer.)
Announcer:
Buzzing too early, Team 1. Question goes to Team 2. Okay, once again, can you look at the person and know they have HIV/AIDS?
Atiba:
Yes, of course! Their faces look strange and they are very skinny.
Announcer:
Not true, Atiba. It is impossible to look at someone and tell if that person has HIV/AIDS. Many people who look perfectly healthy are carrying the virus.
Next question. True or false: People with HIV/AIDS should be sent away from the community.
SOUND EFFECTS: BUZ-Z-Z-Z-Z
Gloria:
I know this is absolutely false!
Announcer:
That’s right. Point for Team 2. People living with HIV/AIDS need love, support, and proper medical care in the communities where they live. They should not be isolated.
SOUND EFFECTS: SHUFFLING OF MICROPHONE CABLES, THUMPING NOISES
Atiba:
(whispering)Wake up, Sam. I don’t want to lose this game…
Announcer:
I’d like to remind you again to please wait until I have finished reading the question before you buzz. And here is the next question: Can you spread AIDS by kissing?
SOUND EFFECTS: BUZZ-Z-Z
Sam:
Yes, you can spread HIV/AIDS by kissing.
Announcer:
Sorry Sam, the answer is ‘NO’.
Atiba:
C’mon, buddy! Who spreads AIDS by kissing, man? I mean, don’t you know better than that?
Announcer:
Excuse me, gentlemen, I’m ready to ask the next question. Could everybody please calm down. Here we go. Taking birth control pills can protect a woman from being infected with HIV. True or False?
A BRIEF SILENCE (3 or 4 seconds)
Announcer:
Does anyone want to guess?
SOUND EFFECTS: BUZZ-Z
Atiba:
I’d say, no. Pills don’t protect.
Announcer:
That’s right. Good for you Team 1. Another point. And finally, here’s our last question. Listen carefully because it’s a tricky one. Will drinking alcohol increase your chances of getting HIV?
SOUND EFFECTS: BUZZ-Z
Margaret:
Yes, I believe drinking alcohol increases the chance of getting HIV/AIDS.
Announcer: Point to Team 2. That answer was correct: alcohol does increase the risk of getting AIDS. That’s because people forget to use condoms after they have been drinking.
Atiba:
Wait a minute! I knew that answer too…!
Announcer:
Sorry, gentlemen, we really have to wrap up our program. Dear listeners, tune in again next week when the theme of the show will test the contestant’s knowledge of traditional plants that can be used in medicines. This is your host, George Mano, signing off for today.
SOUND EFFECTS: SOUND OF PLAYERS TALKING AND ARGUING IN THE BACKGROUND
FADE TO MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Acknowledgements
Contributed by Sunny Ray, Toronto, Canada.
Reviewed by Iain McLellan, Communications Consultant on HIV/AIDS Behaviour Change, Montreal Canada.
