Shout Out to News Media

Today is National HIV Testing Day, an annual observance that has taken place since 1995 to encourage people to know their HIV status so they can get medical care and take steps to prevent spreading the virus.

Of course, every day is the national day of something or other, a news editor once remarked to me years ago.

That's probably true.  And organizations put out press releases promoting their special day as news.

We at Family Service of RI did, since our AIDS Project RI division is a leader in HIV testing and is introducing a new couples HIV testing initiative this week.

Local news organizations--maybe even national ones--are short-staffed these days, and no doubt are overwhelmed by such press releases, even as they chase down the latest political controversy, local tragedy or what have you.

Nonetheless, some did provide coverage--it's difficult to know every one, because it's impossible to monitor all of the media outlets, even in a tiny state like Rhode Island.  And everything is not on-line, particularly television and radio.

But here are the ones we know about that worked in our press release about HIV testing into their reporting day, and they have our thanks.  If you know of others, please put in the "comments" section.

Many thanks to WPRO's Andrew Gobeil and Tara Granahan for interviewing AIDS Project RI's Tom Bertrand on their prime-time morning show. Thanks to the station for giving the story prominence on their website, too.  Thank you, also, to RI Public Radio.

A salute, too, to the Associated Press, which picked up the story and distributed it throughout the country (Maybe the world!). Thanks to the Providence Journal,  Boston.com, fifty miles to the north, and believe it or not, the San Francisco Chronicle and The Republic, located in Columbus, Indiana!

If you spotted coverage beyond these outlets, leave a note in the comment section.  Chances are I missed somebody.  Plus, some outlets may be doing stories about our new HIV "testing together" program in the days ahead.  We salute them in advance!!

--Stephen L. Hug