February 14th is Valentine‘s Day.

This day is traditionally recognised as a day when lovers express their love for each other.  There is a lot of excitement around this day with lovers taking the time to spoil each other in a bid to express their devotion to their partners.  
There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realising the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death and February 14 was set aside to honour him. (http://www.history.com/minisites/valentine/viewPage?pageId=882)

Some experts state that Valentine’s Day originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine".
Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball. (http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm)

Issues journalists can address:-

• Love is an intense feeling or affection towards something or someone. It is very crucial for everyone to be responsible enough to protect their loved ones from HIV infection.

• It is also important to note that love and emotions are responsible for many careless decisions that people make. There is a lot of room for people to be careless and engage in unsafe sex around Valentine’s Day. The media should therefore intensify messaging around safer sex and abstinence as choices people can make during such calendar days.  

• This time of the year is also a good opportunity to encourage couples to go for HIV testing. The media can do a voluntary counselling and testing campaign for couples during this traditional “month of love”. Later on, journalists can conduct an evaluation exercise to find out how many people would have been tested and which sex had the highest number of people going for testing.

• An opportunity arises around Valentine’s Day to educate people on topics such as couple communication and how it helps to reduce the spread of HIV and AIDS. Special focus should be placed on the importance of disclosure between couples as well as safer sex as a means of preventing re-infection.

• It is known that some people take ARVs in secret, putting their partners and families at risk, the media can highlight the dangers of doing this and the impact it has on couples.

• February is regarded as the month for romance; journalists can raise awareness on the importance of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. As people express love for each other, they need to be reminded to take all the caution to protect and prevent themselves from HIV infection and re-infecting themselves as well as caring for people living with and affected with HIV.

• Journalists can find out from discordant couples what keeps them going despite the numerous challenges that people in such relationships often face. It is important to get the voices of people living with HIV and get their side of the story.

• As the world celebrates Valentine’s Day it is important to note that some people have lost their partners to AIDS related illnesses while others are failing to find love because of their positive status- a direct result of the high levels of stigma and discrimination in our communities. The media should try and educate people about the importance of showing love and care and avoiding stigmatising and discriminating people infected and affected by HIV.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day

http://www.history.com/minisites/valentine/viewPage?pageId=882

http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm