"In the email, employees are told to "refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day through any communication channels, including social media, media engagements, speeches or other public-facing messaging" and "USG funds should not be used for any World AIDS Day events or commemorative activities". The move is part of the government's wider policy to "to refrain from messaging on any commemorative days, including World AIDS Day", noted in the email which was also viewed by The New York Times."
"However, employees "may attend external, locally organized World AIDS Day events" and "tout the work" which is being done "to counter this dangerous disease and other infectious diseases around the world", but they "may not speak at these events or promote their attendance via social media or media channels". Speaking to The New York Times, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said "an awareness day is not a strategy"."
State Department employees received instructions to refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day, to avoid using USG funds for related events, and to refrain from messaging on any commemorative days. Employees may attend externally organized World AIDS Day events and highlight work to counter HIV/AIDS, but they are prohibited from speaking at those events or promoting attendance via social or media channels. The message includes the phrase "an awareness day is not a strategy" and asserts that the State Department is working directly with foreign governments to save lives and increase their responsibility and burden sharing. The government previously reduced funding for foreign aid programs combating HIV/AIDS.
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