New Insights, Mindset Changes, Collaboration and Fellowship
By Justin Victor, December 10, 2021
At the final session of Journalism in a Fragmented World, the webinar organised by the SIGNIS Asia Journalism Desk, participants had a chance to express their opinions on the input of the preceding six Tuesday nights, beginning 26th October 2021.
“I will be different,” said Kerbino Kuel Deng of South Sudan, “in the sense that all that I’ve learnt, I will apply through humanitarian reporting – putting humanity first in all that I’m doing.” His sentiments were echoed by practically all the 24 participants. Some, like Park Soo Jung of South Korea, even admitted to a personal mindset change. “I always thought I was lacking as a journalist,” she said. “But knowing that I wasn’t the only one thinking about that gave me an opportunity to think as a real journalist.”
Malaysian participant Jane Moh was grateful for the opportunity of participating in the webinar, which was something rare, she said, for someone in a small town in Sarawak. On their ideas for the collaborative stories they would be writing, Japanese participant, Natsuki Kurata shared that he had experienced solidarity among the participants in neighbouring Asian countries, and fellow Christians. “Nowadays national identities lead to wars, but solidarity leads to peace,” he pronounced.
Among the many topics covered in the programme, one was an obvious favourite: Solutions Journalism. “Instead of writing about sad stories we should be writing about success stories,” said Aaron Dinesh, another Malaysian participant. “The role of (the) journalist is for human development, and also to be an agent of enlightenment,” he added, realizing that journalists have to change the narrative.
“Working in the mainstream media makes me feel like I’ve been paid to keep up with the bad news,” shared Su-Yi Lim from Singapore, wryly, while Marianne from the Philippines was spot on when she said, “Solutions journalism works beautifully with ethics of journalism…about sharing more stories of hope and resilience, and not just suffering.”
Addressing the participants, Dr Peter Monthienvichienchai, Executive Director of LiCAS News Asia said he was encouraged by the wide adoption of Solutions Journalism, pointing out that his experience has shown “The solutions are brighter, more impressive and stronger, when the problems are also clearer written. It’s not just about covering good news, it’s also showing how critical the problems are too, but through solutions journalism you are also showing hope and as Catholic media you are sharing the Good News.”
Participants were also challenged with writing stories in collaboration with participants in other countries. When asked to share their collaborative story ideas, several commonalities emerged. Climate change was a popular choice as many Asian countries have experienced floods recently; the migration of coastal peoples to urban areas has produced a spate of issues of a different kind, as a result of this. Other topics included people with special needs, the rise in maternal deaths during the pandemic, the upcoming Philippine presidential elections and Malaysians on death row in Singapore.
Moderator Augustine Anthuvan offered SIGNIS’ help to connect or facilitate collaboration, and suggested an “Ideas Basket” where all could share story ideas. Guest speaker, David Fogarty, Climate Change Editor with The Straits Times in Singapore, shared his experiences of working collaboratively with its correspondents and stringers around the world, and provided ideas on how to pitch stories.
Expressing her gratitude to the event’s organising committee, President of SIGNIS World Helen Osman said the success of this programme serves as a model for SIGNIS members in other areas. She asked participants to send their stories to her, for sharing with her North American network. This appreciation was echoed by Anucha Chaiyadej, SIGNIS Asia President. Quoting Romans 14:19, he exhorted, “You are the ‘Third eye that sees the Truth and spread the Truth’,” and urged participants to “‘pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another’.”
Other articles published on the session:
https://www.signisasia.net/24-participants-14-countries-3-continents-1-webinar/
SIGNIS Asia Journalism Desk and LiCAS News Asia are the organisers 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 recently brought together 24 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. Programme details: https://www.signisasia.net/journalism-in-a-fragmented-world-webinar-2021/