Catholic news publication editors, publishers and senior journalists from three regions in Asia (South Asia, South East Asia and East Asia) will have a special opportunity to come together to discuss issues relevant to Catholic news media publications today in Asia. Questions for focus group discussions will include topics such as: How are Catholics in Asia currently consuming news media content and information about their faith? How has their local Catholic parish/ church been promoting/ circulating/ publishing news media content and information about the Catholic faith? How effective have these strategies been? Have we been able to maximise our audience reach with impact?
Catholic News Publication Editors’ Roundtable 2.0
Theme: “What Would Asian Catholic News Media look like in 2030?”
Date: 20th October 2025, Monday
(Arrival on 19th October, Sunday with Introduction Session 7.30pm)
NEW Venue for roundtable meet and accommodation:
Manila Prince Hotel
1000 San Marcelino St, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines
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Organised by the SIGNIS ASIA Journalism Desk
Catholic news media can be the bulwark against the tide of secularism by creating and promoting content that educates people about the richness of Catholic teachings and traditions. What news media content do Catholics search for and want to consume when it comes to their faith? How can Catholic news media connect/reconnect Catholics back to their faith and deepen their understanding and spirituality? There will be group discussions to come up with a media plan on how we would improve and promote Catholic news media in our communities. What sort of content would we want to produce and how would we disseminate the content? How would we work with SIGNIS members and others in this initiative?
This programme is planned for National Catholic News Publication Chief Editors, Sub-Editors, Senior journalists and Digital News Editors. It is an opportunity to network, share best practices, develop new content and strengthen professional bonds with member countries and associations in Asia, Vatican and beyond.
One of our focuses will be on point no. 8 of the Statement put forward by Catholic News Editors during the first roundtable in 2019: “That we shall establish a platform for Catholic Editors/Journalists/Publishers of the Asian Region. We propose to institute ‘Catholic Press Association-ASIA’ under the aegis of the SIGNIS ASIA in collaboration with the Communication Dept of the FABC.” The first Catholic News Publication Editors’ Roundtable was organised in 2019 on the theme: Peace Journalism in a Viral Culture, at CCM in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 14 – 16 August 2019.
This second Catholic News Publication Editors’ Roundtable 2.0 on 19-20 October 2025 will precede the 5-day SIGNIS ASIA ASSEMBLY (SAA2025) 21-25 October in Manila & Tagaytay in the Philippines. For further information & to register for the SAA2025, please click: www.signisasia.net/saa2025/
For further information, please email signisasia.region@gmail.com
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About the Programme
Arrival of participants is on Sunday 19th October, with Dinner at 6.30pm & Introduction Session at 7.30pm.
Session 1 begins on Monday 20th October at 8.00am, and ends with Session 4 at 6.00pm, followed by Dinner at 6.30pm.
Session 1: ‘What would Asian Catholic News Media look like in 2030?’
Session 2: ‘Where do we preach? Finding Catholic Voice and Visibility in the Digital Wild’
Session 3: ‘Bridging the divide: Keeping faith alive in an increasingly secular and screen-soaked Asia’
Session 4: ‘Stronger together: building a collaborative Catholic news network in Asia’
This programme participation is by invitation & recommendation. Upon selection, two nights’ accommodation, meals and meeting facilities are covered by SIGNIS ASIA (19th & 20th night’s stay). Airfare, Tourist Visa Fee, return transport to airport, extension of stay before and/or after the meeting days and other incidentals are not covered. Registration is Free. Changes made are at the discretion of the organiser, SIGNIS ASIA Journalism Desk. The Roundtable will be conducted in English. Please apply for Tourist Visa where applicable. Accommodation venue is the same as the programme venue above.
(Philippine Visas for applicants from Asian countries, processing times typically range from 5 to 10 working days (or 10 to 12 working days depending on the embassy), but it’s advisable to apply at least a month before your intended travel date. Information about your visa, please check links below:
Official Website for eVISAPH
Special Instructions for INDIAN and CHINESE nationals
All travels arriving and departing the Philippines are required to register in the eTravel System. (This is FREE)
Click here to create an account. eTravel Portal
For further information, please email signisasia.region@gmail.com
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SIGNIS is the ‘World Catholic Association for Communication’, recognised by the Vatican and the Dicasteries for Communication, and Family Life and Laity. Globally, SIGNIS brings together media professionals who are engaged in digital media, radio, TV, cinema, journalism and media education from over 100 countries. The administrative headquarters of SIGNIS, the General Secretariat, is in Rome.
SIGNIS is a worldwide association. Its members are national associations grouped by regions of the world. There are six regions: Africa, Latin America, North America, Pacific, Asia and Europe, as well as an International Group of international organisations. Individuals and institutions can become associate members.
Email: signisasia.region@gmail.com; signisasiasecretary@gmail.com
SIGNIS ASIA | www.signisasia.net
SIGNIS WORLDWIDE | www.signis.world
Venue:
Manila Prince Hotel
1000 San Marcelino St, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila, Philippines
Important Information regarding Editors’ Program Venue & Accommodation:
To make sure the program will be logistically manageable and comfortable for everyone, the organisers are moving the Manila venue from the Communication Foundation for Asia to the Manila Prince Hotel
Click here to visit their website
Click here to see directions
About Programme | Programme Schedule / Download Schedule | About Venue | Registration closed
Programme Schedule
Click to download PDF: Programme Schedule
CATHOLIC NEWS PUBLICATION EDITOR’S ROUNDTABLE 2.0:
“What Would Asian Catholic News Media look like in 2030?”
20th October 2025, Monday
(19th October 2025, Sunday – Introduction Session 7.30pm)
Manila Prince Hotel, Manila, Philippines
SUNDAY • 19 OCTOBER 2025
Arrival of participants • Registration open
5.30 pm – 6.30 pm –– Arrival, Registration
6.30 pm – 7.15 pm –– Dinner
Introduction Session: 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm
7.30 pm – 8.00 pm –– Welcome, Introduction
8.00 pm – 9.00 pm –– Group Dynamics
MONDAY • 20 OCTOBER 2025
7.15 am – 7.50 am –– Breakfast
7.50 am – 8.00 am –– Gather in conference room
Session 1: 8.00 am – 10.00 am
8.00 am – 8.30 am –– Session 1: ‘What would Asian Catholic News Media look like in 2030?’
8.30 am – 10.00 am –– Discussion & Q&A
10.00 am – 10.30 am – Coffee Break
Session 2: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
10.30 am – 11.00 am –– Session 2: ‘Where do we preach? Finding Catholic Voice and Visibility in the Digital Wild’
11.00 am – 12.30 pm –– Discussion & Q&A
12.30 pm – 1.30 pm – Lunch
Session 3: 1.30 pm – 3.00 pm
1.30 pm – 2.00 pm –– Session 3: ‘Bridging the divide: Keeping faith alive in an increasingly secular and screen-soaked Asia’
2.00 pm – 2.40 pm –– Fishbowl Activity – Building on Ideas
2.40 pm – 3.00 pm –– Wrap up
3.00 pm – 3.30 pm – Tea Break
Session 4: 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm
3.30 pm – 4.00 pm –– Session 4: ‘Stronger together: building a collaborative Catholic news network in Asia’
4.00 pm – 5.00 pm –– Discussion & Q&A
Closing Session: 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm
5.00 pm – 6.00 pm –– Takeaways from each country participants; Reporting, Evaluation & Feedback
6.30 pm – 7.30 pm – Dinner
END
About Programme | Programme Schedule / Download Schedule | About Venue | Registration closed
Email: signisasia.region@gmail.com; signisasiasecretary@gmail.com
SIGNIS ASIA | www.signisasia.net
SIGNIS WORLDWIDE | www.signis.world