2023-12-03 15:40:00
The management of “20 minutes” apologized for the use of PrEP, preventive treatment against HIV, and the increase in sexually transmitted infections.
Just a clarification. “20 Minutes” apologized to its readersthis Friday, December 1, 2023, after using “clumsy and incorrect wording“in its front page of the day. The free newspaper had in fact”chose to devote its front page to International AIDS Day, aware that raising awareness and calling for prevention among as many people as possible still remains crucial“, management wrote this Friday on X (formerly Twitter).
READ ALSO: “20 minutes” usurped in a pro-Russian propaganda video, the newspaper files a complaint
“At the highest risk PrEP”
“Our editorial team“, she continues, “wanted to address the issue of PrEP in particular. This preventive treatment is an effective means of combating HIV and has resolutely contributed to stemming the spread of the virus.“, she specifies immediately. To summarize her story of the day on the front page, the editorial team used a play on words – “At the highest risk of PrEP” – and accompanied its title and its illustration photo of the following legend.
“The use of preventive treatment against HIV would tend to reduce precautions and increase other sexually transmitted infections“, it is indicated. An association of ideas which provoked a reaction from activists – some describing this front page as a “shame” – and even in the ranks of deputies.
“Very surprised by this front page of ’20 minutes’ which casts shame on people on PrEP journeys“, was thus surprised, on X, Raphaël Gérard, Renaissance deputy of Charente-Maritime. “To achieve the goal of eradicating the HIV epidemic by 2030, it is imperative to promote all prevention tools and break stigmas“, he believes on the contrary.
“There is no direct correlation between PrEP use and an increase in STIs”
The reactions sparked by its front page pushed the newspaper to react. “We would like to clarify that, contrary to what our front page might suggest, there is no direct correlation between the use of PrEP and an increase in STIs (sexually transmitted infections).“, insists the editorial management. “This nuance is crucial for an accurate understanding of the situation, and we apologize to our readers for this clumsy and erroneous wording, not reflecting the content of the article.“.
Indeed, in his article, journalist Lise Abou Mansour gives the floor to Professor Jean-Michel Molina, from the infectious and tropical diseases department at Saint-Louis hospital in Paris, who puts forward several factors to explain an increase in STIs. Before concluding that “if we see an increase in STIs, it is because we are screening for them much more regularly“.
1701648335
#clumsy #erroneous #wording #minutes #apologizes #front #page #dedicated #AIDS