Seminar on Ethics in Media and Communication Organized In Diocese of Belgaum

Belagavi, January 27, 2025: The Diocese of Belgaum's Commission for Social Communication organized a seminar on "Ethics in Media and Communication" on January 24, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Teacher’s Training Institute Hall, Camp, Belagavi. The event brought together 165 participants, including youth, lay faithful, religious sisters, seminarians, and clergy, to address the pressing challenges of misinformation and ethical responsibility in today's media landscape. 

The seminar featured Rev. Fr. Sudeep Paul, MSFS, Director of Sandesha, Mangaluru, and Mr. Rishikesh Bahadur Desai, Senior Assistant Editor of The Hindu in Belagavi, as resource persons. Most Rev. Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Belgaum, and Mr. Louis Rodrigues, editor of the Konkani monthly Ujjvad, were also present for the event. 

Rev. Fr. Alwin Christopher George, Secretary of the Commission for Social Communication, set the stage for the event by introducing the theme of the seminar and its relevance in a world increasingly influenced by misinformation and fake news. Mrs. Clara Fernandes, editor of the Diocesan monthly Krista Prakash, extended a warm welcome to the attendees and introduced the speakers for the event. 

In his keynote address, Rev. Fr. Sudeep Paul highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence in various domains, including religion, and explored both the positive and negative aspects of digital tools. “While technology offers immense benefits, it also brings risks like internet addiction and the spread of misinformation,” he warned. Using humour and relatable examples, Fr. Paul engaged the audience, particularly the youth, emphasizing the importance of being ethical consumers and creators of media.

Following this, Mr. Rishikesh Bahadur Desai shared his insights, emphasizing the transformative power of digital tools while cautioning against their misuse. “Social media often diminishes the sanctity of truth and normalizes violence,” he said. He urged the audience not to avoid these tools but to master them while maintaining ethical introspection. 

The interactive session that followed allowed participants to pose incisive questions to the speakers. Both speakers addressed the questions thoughtfully, further enhancing the audience’s understanding of the subject. They both underlined that humans should continue doing what AI cannot do—to have a heart, and to be creative and face new challenges. 

In his concluding remarks, Bishop Derek Fernandes, using the example of ‘trunk calls’ of the decades past, stated that “digital tools have made a host of activities very easy, but we need to be aware of the threats and dangers that they come with.”

Fr. Alwin Christopher George proposed the vote of thanks for the event, acknowledging the efforts of all contributors, including Sr. Shoba, Principal of St. Joseph’s T.T.I., the students and staff, and the media team. 

The seminar left a lasting impression on the attendees, who were deeply inspired by the discussions. The emphasis on ethical responsibility in media and communication resonated with participants, motivating them to be mindful of their own roles in the media landscape. The event was a resounding success and concluded with a renewed commitment to ethical communication.

By Rev. Fr. Alwin Christopher George