Naming people with AIDS

May I strongly protest your naming of the person who died of AIDS in Mataram (First AIDS death reported in NTB, The Jakarta Post, Feb. 17, 2004, page 5). This violates the accepted principles of ethical and empathetic journalism.

While we all look forward to the day when people with AIDS can acknowledge the cause of their condition in the same way as those, for example, with diabetes or cancer, that time has not yet come.

In the meantime, please avoid including any information in your reports that could be used to identify the person concerned, unless you have clear informed consent from the person concerned or the family.

CHRIS W. GREEN
Jakarta