Eluru (CBCI News): Media today is at the vortex of society and has profound influence on life and values, said Archbishop Thuma  Bala of Hyderabad and Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Bishops' Council Commission for Social Communications., was held at Andhra Pradesh Social Service Society,  October 5-7.  He was speaking at the inauguration of a three-day workshop  in journalism and creative writing organized by Subodha Nilayalm Communications,  (the diocesan Communication Centre), Eluru,  in collaboration with the CBCI Office for Social Communications, New Delhi  at St. Theresa's College, here, October 4. 

Media is an important profession and a vehicle to impact society and serve truth, said Archbishop Bala.  Highlighting the role of journalists in our society, he said the print media, specially the newspapers, continue to play a vital role in opinion formation, and in upholding the democratic and secular values of our country. While pointing out some of the misplaced values in today's media guided by profit and ethical ambiguity, he urged many more young people to take up the media profession so as to become torch bearers of change. Some 500 youth and educators attended the inaugural ceremony.

Archbishop Prakash Mallavarappu of Visakhapatanam and Apostolic Administrator of Eluru Diocese, who chaired the programmes said media is making a profound impact on society and people. He urged the participants to imbibe the skills and values needed to render their service as media persons to serve society more effectively.  Others who spoke at the inaugural function were M. Ramesh, Superindent of Police, W. Godavari District, Fr. Jose Pottayil, Director General of St Pauls, Mumbai, Fr George Plathottam sdb, Secretary, CBCI Office for Social Communications and Fr. Alfonso Elengikal, Coordinator of the workshop.

Former Bishop of Kurnool and Nalgonda Rt. Rev Mathew Cheriankunnel, Sr. Ursula, the Correspondent of St Theresa's College and several other dignitaries participated in the inaugural function. The workshop  subtitled “Unlocking Your Potential as a Journalist”  was attended by  60 participants who included working journalists from print and electronic media, from the West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, Professors of St Therese's College,  seminarians and nuns from various institutions. 

The event was part of a series of media-related programmes being  held across the country,  to mark the  two-year -long preparations for the forthcoming centenary of the founding of the Pauline Family by Blessed James Alberione, an Italian priest, who passionately promoted media and founded several religious and lay movements to continue his mission in the church and society.

The three-day intense workshop had sessions on news gathering and reporting, writing and editing skills, media careers, graphics and visuals in journalism, media ethics, public speaking, and a host of other topics.  The workshop animators included journalists from newspapers like Vartha, The Hindu, Fr George Plathottam, Sr Helen Albuquerque, Fr George Kaitholil, Fr. Alfonso Elangjikal,  D.Abraham and others. Two Telugu books authored by Fr P. Bala of Eluru diocese and published by Jeevandhara Publications of St Pauls in Andhra Pradesh were released during the inaugural function.

During the valedictory function attended by several dignitaries, including Sr. Mercy, the Principal of St Theresa's College, the participants were awarded certificates.  Several participants spoke appreciating the rare opportunity they received to develop their skills through the workshop.  One of the tangible fruits of the workshop was the setting up of a Media Core Team under the direction of Subodh Nilayam Communications and St Theresa' College for pursuing media training programmes in the district.