The media, whether print, broadcast or now increasingly online, represent a major platform for BASHH to advocate for good sexual health and improved HIV outcomes, promote the role of our organisation and, importantly, the work of our members.

BASHH set up the ‘media committee’ which sought to give structure to our engagement with the media and raise the profile of BASHH as lead public educators on sexual health.

As the work of the committee has developed, so too has the role, remit and expanding levels of its impact and influence. As the 2012–2014 Strategic Plan outlines, the media group also works to ensure BASHH remains influential politically across the UK jurisdictions, and our media role has become increasingly integrated with, and led by, our parliamentary and policy engagement. This is probably best demonstrated by the media activity undertaken by BASHH around the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is described in more detail below.

Primarily, public education is a core function of the group. Through the press office function, our 20 strong ‘media group’ members are on hand to respond to media requests, usually at very short notice, on a wide range of topics. …