MTV receives awards for HIV/AIDS programming (7885)

MTV received four awards for its HIV/AIDS-related programming Tuesday at the second annual Cable Positive POP (Positively Outstanding Programming) Awards ceremony held in New York, including being named cable network of the year. MTV also picked up awards for its programs "First National Sex Quiz," which won the outstanding special programming award; "MTV News Now: Sex, School, and Scandal," which was named outstanding documentary; and "MTV Presents Levi's Jeans Staying Alive Concert," which won a jury prize.

"MTV has raised the bar for the entire TV industry in terms of creating programming that raises awareness of HIV/AIDS-related issues," said Steve Villano, president and CEO of Cable Positive, a nonprofit group that works to bring cable television's resources to the fight against AIDS. "Their 'Fight for Your Rights' campaign has especially been effective in reaching young adult audiences, to empower and educate them on this topic." MTV's "Fight for Your Rights: Protect Yourself" campaign is the latest effort in the cable network's ongoing social change initiative that has recently focused on preventing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies among youth.

The POP Awards ceremony was cosponsored by TV Guide. For more information about the awards or Cable Positive, go online to www.cablepositive.org.