UGANDA: Embrace Social Media for Wider Coverage: Cleric to Journalists

Masereka Peter

As digital transformation continues dominating the world, some communicators are at risk of losing relevance should they fail to embrace social media as one of the modern tools for disseminating information to reaching the young and elite generation, Rev. Fr. Sunday Augustine Masereka, the Coordinator of the Social Communications Commission for the Diocese of Kasese.

Fr. Sunday Augustine said it’s a disservice for a media house to have an employee with no idea about the use of social media in this the 21^st century where everything has gone digital.

In his opening remarks at the two days social media training for Kasese Guide Radio staff at the Radio headquarters in Kasese town on 05^th June 2023, Rev. Fr. Sunday Augustine Masereka wondered why some journalists are still locked to the traditional means of disseminating information when the social media, blogging and websites among others, are currently dominating the communication sector.

He described the training as timely and commended the communication department of Uganda Episcopal Conference which, during this year’s communication week, tasked all journalists to invest in advancement of the social media, and to use them properly in order to ably address the needs of their followers, viewers and listeners.

Fr. Augustine who doubles as the Director for Kasese Guide Radio asked his staff, likewise other journalists, to actively build their capacity and social capital through social media by posting well researched and relevant content.

Sr. Sarah Muhindo whom together with Mr. Mathias Thembo represented the communication office and the Kasese Guide Radio respectively during the communication week said they were tasked as communicators to go multimedia by joining the social media world.

Sr. Sarah urged media houses to go a step ahead in the use of social media in promoting their onair programs, marketing and make news available on media by employing social media handler as well as encouraging their workers to take social media as a priority.

Earlier at the celebrations of the 57^th world social communications day at Lubaga, The Archbishop of Kampala Paul Ssemogerere had noted with concern the way some communicators including social media influencers are misusing the media.

Archbishop Ssemogerere said that of late the media has been abused; it’s being used to spread hatred, propaganda, insults and indecency among other vices which kill the bond of love amongst God’s people. He thus reminded social communicators and all those using tools of communication that it’s a noble role which requires them to use these technological advancements responsibly to promote unity, peace, love and justice.

Drawing from the Pope’s message under the theme; Speaking with the heart: “The truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), he said communicators must communicate truth and compassion; this is evangelization that God calls for.

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