13 March 2006 | Programming | Ernesto Aguilar

CJRDaily.com recently blogged about the media criticism facing Harper’s magazine for its publication of a piece that denies the existence of AIDS and HIV. A listener recently gave me a copy of the article and, I confess, I was rather surprised it was published by a magazine like Harper’s. However, this brings me to a question I want to pose to listeners.I’m regularly approached about all manner of programming on this issue. Some of it comes from the perspective on the Harper’s article. My question to listeners: what is our responsibility as a radio station to dialogue and what is our responsibility as a station to information that virtually all the medical community regards as false?

I haven’t approved such programming for Open Journals because I regard our responsibility to accuracy on medical issues (from which people could base life decisions) to be more important than whether we provide a forum for such views. Though I respect and affirm people’s opinions on this topic, it wouldn’t sit well with me for listeners, especially young people, to potentially engage in at-risk behaviors because KPFT allowed someone on to say AIDS didn’t exist. Airtime offers a level of credibility on a theory that I am not informed enough to say is at all truthful (though I am aware has very little to no scientific backing).

KPFT provides a forum for all kinds of issues, ideas and, some might say, conspiracy theories. From 9/11 to the origins of AIDS, KPFT has had its share of controversial content. What separates this topic, to me, from, say, Sept. 11 is health. My concern is, certainly, that providing a venue for guests to say AIDS is fiction seems to be a tacit endorsement of potentially unsafe sexual behavior that, in turn, puts listeners (and our credibility) at risk. Am I being overly cautious? The journalist in me tries to be sensitive to all angles, but I’d appreciate your input. Some have suggested a debate on-air, or some other form of dialogue.
So, how do you feel about this? Whenever I get into this discussion, I have to remind people to avoid hyperboles. I understand most people not so long ago thought slavery was okay, or that Columbus ‘discovered’ America. I’d like your feedback; please add a comment. Thanks!

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