Where Diversity Does Not Divide
Journalism in a Fragmented World
Inaugural Webinar by the SIGNIS Asia Journalism Desk (SAJD): 26th October-7th December 2021
It is truly fitting that the 25 participants of the webinar organised by the SIGNIS Asia Journalism Desk come from such diverse backgrounds. They are, in microcosm, the fragmented world which they have come together to discuss, over the next six sessions. Each of the (number) applications to join the programme was carefully vetted; the target group was Catholic and like-minded journalists working in secular media. The results of the stringent vetting process were most encouraging. Indeed, some of the candidates themselves have what can only be described as page-turner backgrounds; such have their personal experiences been, in various fields of journalism!
Participants were selected from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam, with special inclusions from Ecuador, Kenya and South Sudan. Besides providing details about their work, they were also required to state what they hoped to gain by embarking on the programme. As they introduced themselves in the opening session, without exception, they all expressed the desire to gain different perspectives, and to learn from the experiences of others – indicating their willingness to look beyond parochial parameters, embrace diversity and expand their horizons.
But being accepted for the programme was just the beginning of their journey. The SIGNIS Asia Journalism Fellowship Programme is designed to be a hands-on experience and participants should not expect a laid-back six weeks of easy listening. To maximise effectiveness of the sessions, at least five of the seven weekly programmes will require them to produce written work based on questions by the respective weeks’ presenters. Participants will derive from it only as much as they are willing to put in through diligent attendance of the programme, paying attention to the issues being discussed and articulating their own thoughts and opinions accordingly.
At the end of the seven weeks, they will also be required to write a 1,000-word article on the entire experience. It is worth noting that there is intense interest in the programme. Besides the presenters, participants and rapporteurs, observers from several bodies will also be following the proceedings. Making a success of the programme will support them in their efforts to pioneer new ways of linking relevant journalism to audiences, and possibly make them the diverse but singular-minded leaders of a new, more strident Voice of the Voiceless worldwide.
The SIGNIS Asia Journalism Desk is the organiser, in collaboration with LICAS News Asia, of the SIGNIS Asia Journalism Fellowship Programme on the theme “Journalism in a Fragmented World,” a seven-week programme for lay Catholic and like-minded journalists working in the secular media. Offered virtually, the seven-week webinar brings together 25 selected participants from 14 countries to build capacity and promote exchange among media professionals and journalists who want to use their platform for social change.