News

Report by Sr Joeyanna D’Souza FSP

The SIGNIS INDIA National Assembly 2018 (SINA 2018) was held from 21 to 24 February at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, on the theme, “Media: Current Trends & Emerging Challenges”

The Assembly was inaugurated with  Eucharistic celebration presided over by Most Rev. P.K. George, Chairman of Social Communication commission of North East region and Bishop of Miao Diocese and Concelebrated by Most Rev. Stephen  Rotulanga,  Bishop of Aizwal and the members of Signis India. In his homily, Bp George invited the group “to move outward after the deep reflection inward”

The Keynote address was delivered by Mr R. S. Mooshahary, Former Governor of Meghalaya. Spearheading the highlights of the Assembly the participants have witnessed four main speakers namely Ms. Charu Soni (Media Landscape in India Today: Truth, Secularism versus Political Patronage and Silencing Dissent), Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil (Social & Political Responsibility & Quest for Truth), Dr. J. Alexander IAS Office, (Has the political ideologies and vested interests hijacked media space? A review of current media scenario in India) Smt. Reshma NC Shah (Media in India today: Commercialization, Political allegiance Visa-vis Public service and RTI) and Dr. Fr. George Plathottam SDB, Former Secretary of CBCI Office of Social Communications, (Challenges to Christian communicatioes in India today) besides the Panel Discussions where, Ms. Iban Mawrie, (Fake News), Fr. C. M. Paul (Social Media), Dr Neha Gupta (Internet Trolling & Dark web) and Mr Michael Peria (Cyber Crimes).

On the second day, Mr. Magimai Pragasan, Dr John Paul SVD, Mr Allen Brooks and Fr Ashok Vaghela from the South, North, Northeast and Western Regions respectively gave a perspective and present socio-political issues disturbing their Region.

The Group Discussion on the first study day, which was coordinated by Fr. Amalaraj, set the participants into quite a different mood, of sharing the views and reflections with their group members. Four questions related to the day’s topics were reflected upon and reported as well.

On the second and third day, we had Archhishop of Guwahati, Most Rev. John Moolachira and Most Rev. Domnic Jala, Archbishop of Shillong and President of CBCNE  respectively, celebrating the Eucharist and also inspiring us with their reflections.

The General body meeting of Signis India was held on 22nd and 23rd February.  The reports were presented and the members discussed and shared on the different concerns of Signis India.

Mr Allan Brooks conducted elections of the National Executives for the year 2018 to 2022.

The following were elected:

President :  Fr. Stanley Kozhichira.
Vice-President: Fr. Norbert Herman SVD
Secretary – Treasurer : Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo.
Members of project Screening Committee : Mr. Nirmal Raj and Sr Joeyanna D’Souza FSP

The Signis North East region headed by Fr Johnson Parackal SDB, Director of DBI and Signis North East Region were the Local host. Signis MP and GG region has volunteered to host Signis National assembly 2019 at Indore.

SIGNIS  – World Catholic Association for Communication. The Mission of SIGNIS is: To engage with media professionals and support Catholic Communicators, To help transform our cultures in the light of the Gospel, By promoting Human Dignity, Justice and Reconciliation. The primary objective of all these activities is to promote a Culture of Peace through the media.

SIGNIS INDIA is the Indian Chapter of SIGNIS WORLD. It is recognised by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India (CBCI). It has twelve Regions, as delineated by the CBCI, with about 350 Active Members. Each Regional SIGNIS Unit has its own administrative structure.

Any Catholic Media professionals, Lay, Priest or religious who are engaged in any kind of pastoral media activity can take membership in Signis.