At the recent AIDS 2024 Conference, Armen Aghajanov of Alliance Consultancy and VirusOFF took the stage in an interesting panel discussion, “Putting People First: Translating Science and Policy to the World.” This event brought together some of the world’s foremost media professionals to explore how journalism can effectively bridge the gap between complex scientific research, public health policies, and the everyday lives of people across the globe.
Armen highlighted the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities and other key populations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, regions where political repression and misinformation continue to hinder access to vital HIV information. His insights underscored the critical role that reliable media must play in combating these obstacles, ensuring that accurate, actionable information reaches those who need it most.
Moderated by Peter-Philipp Schmitt of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the session featured prominent journalists like Apoorva Mandavilli from The New York Times, Ashleigh Furlong from Bloomberg, Kat Lay from The Guardian and others. Each panelist brought a unique perspective on the evolving responsibilities of the media in the age of misinformation, emphasizing the need for clear, trustworthy reporting to empower communities worldwide.
Together, we can help ensure that scientific progress translates into real-world impact.
See the photos from the session.
Read the article here.
