Negative reaction to HIV-positive Muppet

Plans to introduce an HIV-positive character to Sesame Street have provoked an outcry, with Republican senators demanding an assurance that the controversial scheme would not be repeated in the US.

Several US senators have written to Pat Mitchell, the president of the government-funded Public Broadcasting System, which screens Sesame Street, to voice their disapproval of the plans for the enduringly successful children's TV programme.

The makers of the South African version of Sesame Street announced at last week's International Aids conference that an HIV-positive character armed with high self-esteem would be introduced to the show.

The character will start life in South Africa, but will then be exported to some of the nine countries that broadcast the show.

"While it is important to teach children in an age-appropriate manner about compassion for those who contract certain diseases, we would like to inquire as to whether there is other PBS programming, aimed at an older age group, which may be more suitable for such sensitive messages," said the senators' letter.

"We look forward to working with you to ensure that only age and culturally appropriate programmes air on PBS, which is a mainstay that millions of parents have come to rely upon over the past 35 years," it added.

The group, led by Louisiana Republican WJ "Billy" Tauzin, have given Mr Mitchell until Friday to answer questions such as the amount of money PBS dedicates to Sesame Street, how much is being earmarked for the new Muppet, and whether she will be introduced to the US.

Other authors of the letter are Joe Barton of Texas; Richard Burr of North Carolina, Charles "Chip" Pickering of Mississippi, Cliff Stearns of Florida and Fred Upton of Michigan, according to a report in Daily Variety.

Sesame Street producers decided to introduce an HIV element to the South African version of the programme in an effort to reduce the stigma surrounding the disease.