Over 30 attend one-day retreat for Ranau SOCCOM members

RANAU – Over 30 people attended the one-day retreat for members of Ranau Social Communication & Multimedia Committee (SOCCOM) at Kam-Kam Joyful Garden Bongkud here on 22 Sept 2017.

In his address, Father Nicholas Stephen, pastor of St Peter Claver Parish (SPCR), said that advancement of technology in communications opens up a whole new style of information distribution to the masses which is needed to be adopted by today’s media practitioners while staying true to the principles of journalism.

“Towards that end, I urge the media today to engage in building constructive communication, rejecting prejudice against others and promoting the culture of the fellowship, while helping us all to see the world around us in real and convincing manner, ” he said.

Fr Stephen added that it is obvious in the world today that the new media have to break the spirits of anxiety and spiraling fears that arise as people are constantly focusing on ‘bad news’ like wars, terrorism, scandals, and all kinds of human failures.

The priest urged the retreatants to look for an open and creative way of communication that does not glorify evil, but solution-oriented and inspirational towards taking a positive and responsible approach.

“I urge everyone, especially media practitioners, to be a ‘good news’ agent for this world we are living in today,” he said.

Among the talks given were “Introduction to News Writing” (Clarence G Dol), and “Basic Media Photography” (Jimmy Akau).

Themed Service Through the Media, the organisers also touched on the roles of the communications committee in the parish.

Among the attendees were Franciscan Friar Aiden Peter Jr and Zebius Karim, chairman of SOCCOM-SPCR, and other committee members.  – clarence george