By Matters India reporter

Mumbai – A group of citizen journalists from 42 centres in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh had a two day media workshop on ”fake news and journalism for peace” organised by Bosco Information Service (BIS) of Mumbai Salesian province, 18 and 19 July 2018.

Dr. Peter Gonsalves, former dean of Social Communications Faculty at Salesian University Rome and founder of Tejprasarini inaugurated the workshop while Fr C.M. Paul Vice-principal of Salesian College Sonada, Darjeeling and Director of Radio Salesian 90.8 FM gave the key note address.

The workshop marking 25 years of BOSCOM South Asia had 60 per cent theory and 40 per cent practical sessions in news gathering, news reporting, and news photography helped by a panel of professionals from the industry.

Some of the resource persons included veteran journalist and former Times of India assistant editor Mr Ashley D’Mello; All India Radio’s RJ Bosco Rodrigues; Mr Philip Varghese, City Editor of Afternoon tabloid; Digital Photography by Brian Martins CEO of Photomartins, Fr Christopher George Admin of Don Bosco College Kurla and BIS Copy Editor Mrs Karen Laurie from Canada.

Presenting the Salesian Social Communication System, Regional Director of BOSCOM South Asia Fr Fernandes, introduced the multi-faceted programme and invited the participants to “Be aware that we are creators, contributors and consumers in the ever evolving ‘digital continent’ which is the ‘virtual playground’.”

He added, “What we write and post is out there for the entire world to see, since the Don Bosco Society is a mammoth network active in 133 countries.”

Into its third year, annual Don Bosco Media Workshop, “trains Salesian priests and brothers, as well as young people, teachers and lay collaborators in citizen journalism,” says Fr Joaquim Fernandes, director of Tejprasarini communication centre Matunga.

“The idea [of the workshop] is to study Pope’s world communication day message and synergise all stakeholders of the Salesian mission in citizen journalism, and get them report the voices from the grassroots so that Social Communication department of the province can act as agents of change and synergy,” says Fr Fernandes who brought together 70 plus participants including 10 third year students of Bachelor in Mass Media from Don Bosco College Kurla along with 3 faculty members.

Fr Fernandes adds, “Bombay Salesian province is the only province among 12 provinces in South Asia which has a full fledged BIS office for almost 10 years with full time paid copy editor since 4 years.”

He is quick to highlight the achievements of one of the participants of the first batch Methab Shinde of Don Bosco School Yerwada Pune, who is a regular BIS reporter.

“I am now aware of fake news and what I have to do as a first time BIS reporter,” says Computer education teacher Mr Harshad Parmar of Don Bosco School Dakor, Gujarat.

Senior most participant at the workshop, 18 years Headmistress of Don Bosco Primary School Matunga Mrs Winnifred Fernandes of Wadala attributes her reason for joining the workshop saying, “I was fascinated by the topic of the workshop poster my husband was designing and I signed up.”

Don Bosco College Kurla Bachelor of Mass Media third year student Mr Carlton Borges from Kalyan enjoyed “the interactive sessions as well as practical sessions which taught interview techniques and basics of digital photography.”

The participants also visited the BIS office as well as Tejprasarini studios.