By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Nov 28, 2021: Catholic communicators from across Asia have stressed responsible and effective media to help people face uncertainty and disruptions in life brought by the continuing pandemic.
“We believe that responsible dissemination of information is necessary in these pandemic times when misinformation and disinformation are rampant, and many parties seek to distort and abuse the information communicated for their own ends; it is our responsibility to be transparent and accountable for the information we choose to disseminate,” said the second online assembly of Signis Asia.
Around 100 participants from 14 countries addressed the Catholic communicators’ response to theme: “Partnering with People-centered Development Initiatives.”
The Church communicators see the need to reaffirm their support to the voiceless especially when the world changes faster in a multitude of ways. Shift from global alliances to regional political bloc forces people to change their need to collaborate, support and uphold their communities and societies.
“We acknowledge that now, more than ever, the role of communication is crucial as the poor, marginalized, dispossessed, displaced, oppressed, exploited and underserved are pushed even further away from, and denied the resources and support, that they are entitled to as persons with rights and dignity,” the November 17-18 assembly asserted.
The participants pledged their support to those working to overcome the challenges confronting “the most vulnerable sectors of society, such as women, children, youth, refugees, migrants and the disabled.”
They also promised to care and improve the environment, develop sustainable energy, and reduce unsustainable environmental use, “as these affect everyone regardless of geographical boundaries, ethnicity, religious or cultural affiliations.”
The Church communicators reaffirmed their collaboration with people-centered development organizations that try to improve the situation of the marginalized.
They resolved to uphold the truth and tell “the stories that need to be told” by addressing people’s issues fairly and with dignity. “We hope that in doing so, we will be expressing our vocation sincerely and responsibly as effective and accountable communicators whose sole intention is the upliftment of society,” they explained.
They affirmed their solidarity with suffering masses across Asia, especially those in countries with conflict and the victims of political crisis.
They have resolved to undertake research, produce media material and conduct training programs and support social activists. They want to get involved in mainstream media to influence policy-making to bring fair democracies. They also plan to use social media to build “greater awareness especially through people-based stories.”
“The objective of the webinar was to have a deeper understanding on people-centered development concepts and explore ways and means to collaborate with action groups and likeminded organisations,” said Magimai Pragasam, the coordinator of the webinar and the Signis Asia vice president.
Lawrence John, the vice president of Signis World, told the opening session that sustainability is an inherent component and explicit goal of people-centered development. “Establishment of self-supporting social and economic systems remain the key elements of a sustainable society,” he added.
Bernard D’Sami of Loyola Institute of Social Science Research from Chennai, the keynote speaker, noted that around 45 percent Asians lack access to sanitation and 680 million live without electricity. “Asia has two thirds of world’s poor with 800 million surviving on less than US$1.25 a day,” he added.
Observing that new technology, globalization, and market-oriented reforms as the main reasons for rising inequality in Asia, he said, it was high time the Church communicators focused on people-oriented development actions to bring about changes in people’s lives.