ABSTRACT
It is widely assumed that the mass media have played an important role in communicating ideas about AIDS. Many analyses have focused upon the negative character of media representations which have demonized AIDS and stigmatized those with the virus. Not surprisingly, initial concern concentrated on the sensationalism of much of the media coverage and the problem of widespread misinformation about the transmission of HIV. There has been no shortage of such coverage and its specific characteristics are now well documented (Albert 1986; Altman 1986; Grover 1989; Watney 1987, Wellings 1988). These issues continue to be of major importance in the analysis of the media.
