SIGNIS Malaysia organises workshop to enhance skills of persons serving in social communication ministries

By Julie Lim, Herald Malaysia participant

KUALA LUMPUR: SIGNIS Malaysia, in collaboration with the Social Communications Ministry of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur had organised a workshop titled, “Communicating to Change Hearts & Minds” aimed at persons who are serving in social communication ministries.

The workshop was conducted by Mr Augustine Anthuvan, a lead trainer with Singapore Media Academy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacorp, Singapore’s largest content creator and national media network. It was held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre on 17 December 2022.

The 3-hour workshop comprised of bite-size talks and hands-on exercises to enhance participants’ writing techniques and critical thinking for social media.

The lectures covered topics such as news elements, how to tell humanitarian disaster stories responsibly, and media as a catalyst for change.

For the exercise, participants were given different scenarios after which they had to prepare appropriate social media posts or writings as instructed by the trainer.

In the first exercise, participants were required to compose a Tweet for their parish Twitter account, inviting lapsed Catholics back to church for the Christmas Midnight Mass. Participants had to complete the Tweet in 10 minutes.

In another exercise, participants were asked to prepare three critical thinking questions to pose to members of a congregation. The responses were to be weaved into a short video which will be screened on New Year’s Day.

Overall, participants felt that the workshop had enhanced their knowledge and skills so that they are able to serve more effectively in their respective social communication ministries. They look forward to attending more of such trainings.

Published in the Herald Malaysia