Satprakashan Sanchar Kendra, the regional communication center of MP&CG organized a four-day Media training program for the coordinators of CCBI (Conference of Catholic Bishops of India) commission for women at Satprakashan Sanchar Kendra, Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh from 16 to 19 June 2023.
There were 25 coordinators of CCBI Commission for women from 9 regions. The focus of the training was “Click and Create, Capture and Edit” which gave a firsthand experience to the participants of handling the camera, editing as well as recording the script for the documentary. The inauguration of the training began with the Holy Eucharistic Celebration, which was solemnized by Fr. Dixson SVD. In his Homily, he threw light on how one should become an authentic communicator in an unauthentic media world.
After a cordial welcome to all by Sr. Lidwin UFS, the Executive Secretary for CCBI Commission for women, Fr. Dixson SVD in his keynote address elaborated how the means and ways of communication evolved from Dordarshan (Old National Television) to the modern way of communicating (Social Media). He also shared his views on the need for modern communication. The modern communication is quick and spontaneous expressions of our feelings. Even non-professional persons become very popular on social media. Thus, we need to count the blessings of social media, not the negative aspects.
The session on report writing was taken by Sr. Ganga SSpS. During the session, she explained how to write a news report for the secular newspapers, magazine, church websites etc. She also made the participants write a report on various events. The rest of the two and a half days were practical sessions. The practical sessions were handled by Fr. Anthony Swamy SVD, the National Communication Coordinator of SVD India Sub-Zone. The session began with how to handle a camera, camera Settings, different modes, adjusting ISO, shutter speed and aperture. The participants were given complete knowledge about taking a professional photograph such as camera positions, composition, dramatic photography, event photography, liturgical photography etc.
During the training, the participants were taught how to edit the photo using the different applications. They also were given exposure to the multimedia set in a professional studio. They were introduced to the recording, interview, recording of one’s own voice. On the third day, training was given to the participants in how to design a website and also how to handle well. This training also compressed of data feeding, checking online analytics etc. As the result of that, the women coordinators together designed a beautiful website for the CCBI commission for women, which will be launched officially in October.
Most Rev. Chacko Thottumarickal SVD, the Bishop of Indore, on the conclusion of the training said, “Christ is truth, so we need to side the truth and communicate the truth which we need to get into media and communication. We have to pray constantly to the God of truth that we may communicate the truth”. To keep ourselves competent in the world, we have to have skill-based training. This training program aimed at that skill-based training.
Anthony Swamy, SVD.