Catholic Church observes Communication Day 2006

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) observed Communications Day 2006, November 19, and awarded eight media persons for their outstanding contribution in their field.

At the public function, a day–long symposium, the CBCI Commission for Social Communications recognized Mr. Michael Gonsalves, Mr. E.C. Thomas, Mr. T.K. Thomas, Ms. Nirmala Carvalho, Mr. Joseph Barnard Arokia Dass, Ms. Amala Thomas, Mr. Jacob Mathew and Ms. Anita Joshua for their work towards social development and secularism through media.

The theme for India Communications Day 2006 was "The Media: A Network for Communication, Communion and Cooperation," CBCI has reported.

Mr. Michael Gonsalves has played a pivotal role in reviving the SAR News while maintaining his mark in the realm of secular media. The former Editor–in–Chief of SAR News and Former Editor of the Free Press Journal (Mumbai), he is at present, the President of Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA).

Mr. E.C. Thomas is a veteran journalist, who has been working on both sides of mainstream journalism reporting and editing for more than four decades. He is the former Editor of UNI, which is a reputed News agency and has also authored a textbook on Economic and Business Journalism. At present, he is a visiting professor in Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi and also works as a freelance journalist.

A multifaceted person, Mr. T.K. Thomas is a trainer, broadcaster, filmmaker, media columnist and a social worker. He served as Station Director, in All India Radio till 1987 and is at present a senior faculty at NISCORT, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Jamia Milia Islamia, FMCC and others.

A senior correspondent of India's most reputed daily, The Hindu, Ms. Anita Joshua a leading young journalist, has always strived hard to uphold secular values and promoting gender equality through the media.

A journalist of great calibre, Ms. Nirmala Carvalho is a correspondent for AsiaNews, Rome and Reporter for Compass Direct, USA and has shown exceptional sensitivity to Church and minority related issues.

Mr. Joseph Barnard Arokia Dass is currently working with the Rashtriya Sahara, which is a daily Hindi daily as a Senior Editor and is also serving as Economic Bureau Chief. He has been performing, different Hindi Programmes in Yuv–Vani (AZR) and Yuva–Vani on All India Radio and is perhaps the only Christian to make a major impact in this arena.

A gold medalist in Masters in Mass Communications from Central University, Hyderabad, Ms. Amala Thomas has made notable contribution to Church media and more specially to the popular mainstream media.

Mr. Jacob Mathew has been wherever action was in Bhuj during the earthquake; the conflict ridden range of Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Jammu & Srinagar, killings in Raghunath Temple and Kaluchak and live shelling and encounters at the Indo–Pak border. He at present holds the post of Senior Associate Editor with CNN–IBN.

The Catholic Church began to observe World Communication day since the closing of the Second Vatican Council that brought in sweeping changes in the thinking patterns of the Church. It opened the door for Church welcoming all forms of media to be used for the betterment of society.

Pope Benedict XVI in his first message meant for the 40th World Communication Day said that media have immense potential that need to be harnessed for "benefit of all mankind."

His message stressed the idea that media work as "a network facilitating communication, communion and cooperation."

The executive secretary of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications, Fr. Henry D'Souza, speaking on the significance of the communications day said, "As suggested by the Vatican II Council, it is an opportunity to sensitize Christians on the importance of communications today."

Fr. D'Souza also stated that there is a great need to encourage more and more Christian young talents to pursue career in the mainstream media.

Archbishop Oswald Gracias is the Chairman of the Commission and Bishops Leo Cornelio and Godfrey de Rozario are the members of the Commission.

(with inputs from CBCI News)