UGANDA: Associations of Catholic Journalists Facilitate Deeper Understanding and Practice of Christian Social Teaching, Catholic Communicators Advised
AMECEA correspondents pose for a photo during annual meeting in Uganda, 21st-25th November 2022
Sr. Henriette Anne Owino, FSSA
During AMECEA social communication training and mentorship program for online correspondents, held at Ulrika guest house, Entebbe, Uganda from 21st to 25th, Sam Kalimba from Malawi shared with the group on the importance of forming Catholic Journalists Association in conferences.
In his presentation, Associations should be made up of communicators rooted in norms of the Catholic Church with the aim of “facilitating a deeper understanding and fuller practice of Christian Social teaching, to evangelize the political, social, cultural, and economic dimensions of life and unite all Catholics journalists through their journalistic practices.”
Mr. Kalimba, a correspondent of AMECEA online newsletter from Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) opined that associations are significant to conferences and the church since they are a symbol of unity among church and secular communicators.
He narrated that having an association “provides a media coordination role on national and diocesan events, acts as an epicenter for Catholic news, it is a symbol of obedience to the Church among professionals and provides a learning platform for upcoming Catholic journalists as well as being a fountain of media resources for the church.”
Addressing the AMECEA correspondents as the Chairman for the Association of Journalists in Malawi, Mr. Kalimba explained that the key role of the Association is evangelization.
“Catholic Journalists ensure that besides broadcasting at church media houses, church events get published even in secular media houses as they lead by example and deeds,” he said.
He further acknowledged the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) for associating with the association always gracing their meetings and workshops.
In conclusion, Mr. Kalimba advised the participants who were from different countries to encourage formation of such association in their conferences to enable them create a news lab.
