to Build On - SIGNIS · Stanley Hector, 23, from SIGNIS India had his latest short film screened at...

SIGNISN°2/2018 Publication trimestrielle multilingue / Multilingual quarterly magazine / Revista trimestral multilingüe

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4 Cover Story

90 Years to Build On

12 Cinema

Presencein the Festivals 20

RadioRadio as Peacemaker

Contents

Eyecatcher

Stanley Hector, 23, from SIGNIS India had his latest short film screened at the International Cannes Film Festival, among 19 from India. Entitled Midnight at 2, it was shot and produced in Indore in May 2017 and is his sixth short film. The story revolves around two strangers, a girl and a boy, sharing a moment of profound silence on the balconies of their homes at 2 am. Everything started for Stanley during a college event where he made promotional videos for his college’s E-Cell (an initiative by National Entrepreneurship Network) and gained instant appreciation for the medium. His first short film, Pedal which found its place among the top 10 national submissions of IIT Indore’s cultural festival, Fluxus, was selected by Pocket Films, an online YouTube channel for short film promotion, and was also nominated at the Sutradhar Film Festival, Indore, and submitted to the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, for judging. His second short film, The Wall was screened at the SIGNIS Film Festival in Malaysia and Patna. Pocket Films also picked it up. Stanley attended the 2015 Artisans for a Culture of Peace SIGNIS media workshop (now known as CommLab) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In June 2017, he participated in the advanced SIGNIS CommLab seminar in Quebec, Canada, where with other participants from Africa and Asia, he produced a short documentary called Yves for Lauberivière, a local NGO working with the homeless. Currently working at a production house in Mumbai, Stanley hopes to gather enough experience to direct his first feature length film.

Flexcia D’souza2 – SIGNIS Media – N°2/2018

SIGNIS VJ Stanley Hector at Cannes

18 JournalismSafety of Journalists

N°2/2018 – SIGNIS Media – 3

90 Years to Build OnIn 2018 SIGNIS will celebrate 90 years of the foundation of the two organizations that in 2001 merged to become SIGNIS. Both Unda, the World Catholic Association for Radio and Television, and OCIC, the International Catholic Organization for Cinema and Audiovisual, started in 1928 as part of the vitality of the Catholic Action with the aim to bring Catholic communicators to the global stages in the field of communication, culture and media.

Last April, at the former Leo XIII Seminary, in Leuven, the SIGNIS Board of Directors celebrated the anniversary with a tribute to three key personalities of the mother organizations: Fr. Abel Brohée, Mgr. Jean Bernard and Mgr. Jacques Haas; and presented Casimir Goossens, the first SIGNIS treasurer with the SIGNIS International Merit Award.

This issue wishes to mark the 90th anniversary of SIGNIS focusing on the values by highlighting the values with which the mother organizations committed themselves and to show how such values are alive today and present in the professional world of the SIGNIS members. The 90 years are a meeting point with a history we are building together.

90 ans qui construisent l'avenir En 2018, SIGNIS célèbre les 90 ans de la fondation des deux organisations qui, en 2001, décidèrent de fusionner pour donner naissance à une nouvelle association. Unda (Association Catholique Mondiale pour la Radio et la Télévision) et l’OCIC (Organisation Catholique Internationale du Cinéma et de l’Audiovisuel) ont vu le jour en 1928 sous l’impulsion de l’Action catholique dans le but de rendre présents les communicateurs catholiques sur les scènes internationales dans le domaine de la communication, de la culture et des médias.

En avril dernier, le conseil d’administration de SIGNIS a célébré cet anniversaire en rendant hommage à trois personnalités clés des organisations mères : le père Abel Brohée, Mgr. Jean Bernard et Mgr. Jacques Haas. Casimir Goossens, premier trésorier de SIGNIS, a également reçu le Prix international du mérite SIGNIS.

Ce numéro du SIGNIS Media veut marquer les 90 ans de SIGNIS en mettant l’accent sur les valeurs fondatrices de ces organisations et en présentant comment ces valeurs sont encore en vie aujourd’hui dans la pratique professionnelle des membres de SIGNIS. Les 90 ans sont un point de rencontre avec une histoire que nous construisons ensemble.

90 años en pos de seguir construyendoEn 2018 SIGNIS celebra 90 años de la fundación de las asociaciones que en 2001 le dieron su origen. Ambas Unda, la Asociación Católica Mundial para la Radio y la Televisión; y OCIC, la Organización Católica Internacional del Cine y del Audiovisual, comenzaron en 1928 a partir del impulso de la Acción Católica con el objetivo de hacer presentes a los comunicadores católicos en los escenarios internacionales del campo de la comunicación, la cultura y los medios.

En abril pasado, en el antiguo Seminario León XIII de Lovaina, el Consejo Directivo de SIGNIS quiso celebrar el aniversario rindiendo homenaje a tres personalidades centrales de las asociaciones madre: el Padre Abel Brohée, Mons. Jean Bernard y Mons. Jacques Haas; y distinguiendo a Casimir Goossens, primer tesorero de SIGNIS con el Premio SIGNIS al Mérito Internacional.

Este número de la revista desea marcar los 90 años de SIGNIS destacando los valores con los que las organizaciones madre se comprometieron y dar cuenta de como tales ideales siguen vivos en la práctica profesional que los miembros de SIGNIS, llevan hoy adelante. Los 90 años son un punto de encuentro con una historia que seguimos construyendo juntos.

Editorial Team

Editorial

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4 – SIGNIS Media – N°2/2018

In 2018, SIGNIS will celebrate its 90th Anniversary. Indeed, OCIC, Unda and UCIP, the associations that merged in 2001 to create SIGNIS, were all created in 1928. The foundation of those three organisations was all about Catholic lay people working in these media who were convinced that they could explain, promote and defend the values of the Gospel in society worldwide. Much of what was developed by these organisations at the time are still the fundaments of what SIGNIS is. One had to be a professional among the professionals in the secular media to have an impact on them. The heart of the matter was that the Vatican needed the laity to provoke changes in the secular world through Catholic Action. The media and communication were key as clearly part of culture while also playing a role in shaping culture. To have a voice in the League of Nations, Catholic lay people created OCIC, to influence educational cinema and lawmaking on film, with other International Catholic Organisations (ICOs). A few years later, after the Second World War, all three organisations did everything they could to assure their statute as consultants in UNESCO to make certain that Christian values would be present in the media discussions and in the implementing of

laws of the member states through the presence of ICOs. SIGNIS still has its statute of consultor at UNESCO, where discussing the digital world is one of the main issues. SIGNIS and other ICOs are there to fight for a “New World” with human and spiritual dimensions.

Prophetic International Radio, TV and Film Work

In the beginning radio was regarded as a family matter where the Church wanted to be present. It was also in the beginning a medium for the broad public as a large part of the population couldn’t read or write. The presence of Catholics in radio was not only to broadcast religious teachings but also educational programmes, reinforcing social cohesion and emancipatory development. In the USA, the local radio stations were important for civil rights movements, often more effective than print media and television. In Latin America the Catholic radio Sutatenza, started in 1947, is an early example of this development. Today ALER, the Latin American Association for Radio Education, and international member of SIGNIS, supports community radio, media justice and indigenous rights throughout Latin America, giving the voice to the

The media and communication

were and still are key as clearly part

of culture while also playing a role in shaping culture.

Cover story

90 Years to Build On

Representatives of five schools in Honiara (the Pacific) participated in a series of Media Education Seminars by Don Bosco held at Kola Ridge, Honiara in 2018, in which short videos were producted.


Cover story

voiceless, minorities and the excluded. SIGNIS Services Rome also plays an important role in the promotion of community radios. It recently helped the launching of the network of Catholic radios in Burkina Faso, whose goal is to be present in the whole country. From training to technical aspects, the SSR office helps communities around the world to set up their own radio network.

These community radio stations are often an alternative source of information against non-democratic, govern-ment-controlled public radio, and often the only voice for defending human rights, as it is the case with the 54 Catholic radio outlets in the Philippines or those in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In what way was the Catholic international work in cinema prophetic? Since 1947 OCIC, and today SIGNIS, has been present at international film festivals to award prizes to films. In just a few years, a few overtly religious films won prizes; most went to films that promoted peace, or were anti-war or anti-discrimination films, treating themes of social justice, human rights, spirituality and so on. The awards were given to promote quality films affirming the values of the Gospel.

The dialogue between religion and different cultures was always one of OCIC’s priorities, even in the 1950s before the Second Vatican Council. In 1956 at the Venice Film Festival OCIC gave a commendation to the Japanese film The Burmese Harp, as it highlighted the spiritual and humanitarian importance of a work which came from a non-Christian religious perspective. The dialogue with other religions and cultures led to the establishment by SIGNIS of interreligious juries working with non-Christian religions, such as in the Film Festivals of Nyon (Switzerland), Fajr (Iran) and Leipzig (Germany).

Media Education for All Aspects in Communication

From the start of OCIC, film education was a central focus of attention: giving the audience the tools to judge the qualities of a film so that they could decide for themselves if a film was suitable or not for children, young people, families. Even schools started newspapers as a pedagogical project ran by the students.

In the 1950s it also became a priority for Unda that the TV audience be educated to read and to understand images on the small screen. OCIC launched, in 1969 in Latin America, Plan Deni (Plan de Educacion Cinematografica para Ninos). Its aim was that children acquire a clear perspective about films by being introduced to audiovisual language, to discover the power of expression and its value as a means of communication, and thus to express themselves. They discovered a vision of the world imparted to them by different communications media. In the 1970s and 1980s, Marshall McLuhan’s views on understanding media became part of OCIC and Unda’s media education culture. In 1977, they launched the project “Developing Media Education” and adopted the wording Educommunication.

In 1977 Unda launched the project “Developing Media Education”. OCIC and Unda adopted the wording Educommunication. The word was new but in the organization it had been in practice of decades. From the first moment on, it was clear that it was on learning about communication or how to use the media, to be a media critic. It had nothing to do with educational films, radio or TV. In 2004, in Rio de Janeiro, SIGNIS joined the movement of the World Summit of Media for Children and Adolescents. Since then, SIGNIS has been present in three more summits: Johannesbourg (2007), Karlstad (2010) and Kuala Lumpur (2014).

The founding organisations of SIGNIS have had a tremendous impact on media and culture. Many members have been awarded and recognized throughout the years as media professionals, in and outside the Catholic world. SIGNIS continues to empower its members and partners through various events, such as conferences, TV seminars, communication laboratories (CommLab) for young people, or trainings in film reviews. SIGNIS is proud to build its future on this past and will continue to be a prophet in the years to come.

To exemplify the evolution we bring the stories of Pamela Aleman who works as a journalist for a diocesan paper in Canada and of Charles Ayetan, a Catholic journalist in the secular media. There is a story of Cas Goossens, a Catholic lay professional who directed the national radio, and television broadcaster in Dutch-speaking Belgium. José Marmol points to the importance which the community radios still have in Latin America. A photo story illustrates aspects of the Salesians in the Pacific (Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands) media education activities and its dynamics.

Guido Convents

Journalism and SIGNIS, yesterday, today and tomorrowIn 2014 the Vatican suggested that SIGNIS should integrate the members of the former International Catholic Union of the Press (UCIP), which a few years earlier had lost its recognition by the Holy See as an official Catholic organisation. Since the end of the 1920s there has always been contact between UCIP with OCIC and Unda (and later SIGNIS). Already in 1987 the Latin American branches of the three organizations created a joint secretariat to cover all the media in Quito. At the Quebec World Congress of SIGNIS in 2017 the Catholic Press Association (CPA) of North America and Canada joined SIGNIS.

Pamela Aleman is the Communications and Public Relations Manager for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada and member of CPA. She also serves as President for the Association of Roman Catholic Communicators of Canada and as Vice-

The founding organisations of SIGNIS have had a tremendous impact on media and culture.

Representatives of five schools in Honiara (the Pacific) participated in a series of Media Education Seminars by Don Bosco held at Kola Ridge, Honiara in 2018, in which short videos were producted.


BELGIUMCas Goossens, First SIGNIS Merit Award

At the Celebration of the SIGNIS (OCIC/Unda/UCIP) 90th Anniversary in Leuven, Belgium, the first Treasurer-General of SIGNIS in 2002, Cas Goossens received the SIGNIS Merit Award. In 1997, this Belgian became Treasurer-General of Unda. In that capacity he was present in 1999 in Rolduc, the Netherlands, as the joint Boards of OCIC and Unda prepared to merge into SIGNIS, and where the foundations of the new association were laid. He

had the very difficult task of merging the accounts of both organisations into one. With his skills and experience he succeeded doing so in good time. He did it as if it were the most natural thing ever, which it wasn’t. Who is this man, people even today are asking?

Cas studied German Philology at the Catholic University of Leuven (1955-1959) and became a radio and a TV journalist at the Belgian Public Broadcaster for Dutch programs. In 1975 he became director and, a decade later, administrator-general. In these years he was also Vice-President of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Cas was known as a practicing believer with the values of the Gospel as his guidelines. This was not easy in the secularized Belgian media world, where on one side non-religious politicians were putting pressure on him, assuming that he could not be “neutral”; and on the other side there was the neo-liberal trend and pressure to reduce the audience of the national radio and TV broadcaster into consumers, and to transform the outlet into a commercial company. Cas always did defend against all odds the notion that a national broadcaster, paid by the taxes of the citizens, was a medium for building citizenship and a service to all citizens, with respect for all. He could not accept that everything was to be placed at the service of commercial interests. For him the name of God was not “Mamon”, which was the title of the keynote address he gave in Leuven, when he received his Prize. It was his fervent message to SIGNIS.

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President for SIGNIS North America. Pamela is currently writing her Masters in Communication Management on Diversity and Inclusion in Faith Based non-profits, a research-based case study focused on the influence of CEOs on organizational culture in non-profit organizations at McMaster University in Hamilton. SIGNIS asked her «What would a communicator say to the Church about her informative work within the ecclesial structures?»

Pamela : ln my role as a communicator of the Catholic Church, I have the privilege of communicating an evangelizing message to our brothers and sisters who constitute our audience within the Diocese. It is an up-to-date message that reflects values of love and hope and encompasses levels of spirituality and deep values. As a professional in the world of communications, I have the responsibility to create an objective content, that invites action and that has as a result a positive impact at internal levels within our Diocese and external to the community and the world. The ramifications of the work of the communicators of the Church are not limited to spaces within the Catholic spheres but transcend to the ecumenical world to join the mission of the universal Church.

The presence of greater diversity within the Church creates a direct impact on the way of disseminating messages within ecclesial structures. This diversity is reflected in the style of messages as well as in the vehicles used for their dissemination. As a communicator of the Church, it is my job to originate effective communications that reach

a wider audience and that promote a deeper exchange with the mission of the Church. Promote and strengthen relations with the media and develop policies that allow an honest dialogue and mutual respect is an essential part of this mission. At present, the world is surrounded by new media and images that allow professional communicators within the Catholic Church the opportunity to share stories that represent our faith in action in an open and honest way. With the participation and support of our priests and parishes, it facilitates the approach of members of the community as well as the promotion of dialogue and active participation.

Our Diocese participates actively in communications through episcopal statements, press releases, Diocesan and Parish websites, social networks, video, photography and printed material designs. It is essential to have consistency in our messages and in the images we use in each of the different media. This allows us to project a positive image, establish trust in our communications and develop an accurate perception of the Church in the minds of our audience.

In conclusion, I have been assigned the challenge of contributing to the development of an effective communication culture and openness, which contributes to the credibility of our institution with the aim of establishing efficient and durable communication vehicles. A challenge that has become my vocation.

Pamela Aleman

En Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée, à l’école technique Don Bosco, les étudiants ont créé un jingle pour Radio Maria.

Cover story

The challenge of contributing to

the development of an effective

communication culture and

openness.

N°2/2018 – SIGNIS Media – 77 – SIGNIS Media – N°2/2018

90 ans qui construisent l'avenirEn 2018, SIGNIS souffle ses 90 bougies. En effet, l’OCIC, Unda et l’UCIP, les associations qui ont été fusionnées en 2001 pour créer SIGNIS, sont toutes nées en 1928. Elles avaient été créées afin que des laïcs catholiques travaillant dans les médias puissent expliquer, promouvoir et défendre les valeurs de l’Evangile dans les sociétés du monde entier. Nombre des activités développées par ces organisations à l’époque sont encore les fondements de ce qu’est SIGNIS aujourd’hui. Le cœur-même de l’idée était que le Vatican avait besoin des laïcs pour provoquer des changements dans le monde séculaire, grâce à l’Action catholique. Les médias et la communication étaient évidemment des moyens clés, puisqu’ils font partie de la culture, et la forment également. Par exemple, afin d’avoir une voix au sein de la Ligue des Nations, les catholiques ont décidé de créer l’OCIC, afin de promouvoir un cinéma éducatif et d’influencer les politiques en la matière, avec d’autres organisations catholiques internationales. Quelques années plus tard, après la Seconde Guerre Mondiale, les trois organisations ont gardé leur statut de consultant auprès de l’UNESCO afin de s’assurer que les valeurs chrétiennes soient présentes dans les discussions sur les médias. Aujourd’hui, SIGNIS est toujours présente à l’UNESCO, où le monde digital est l’un des sujets les plus discutés, afin de s’assurer que ce « nouveau monde » soit empreint de valeurs humaines et spirituelles.

Dès ses débuts, la radio était un média destiné à un large public, puisque de nombreuses personnes était analphabètes. Les catholiques y ont alors vu une opportunité de diffuser des programmes religieux, mais également des programmes éducatifs afin de renforcer la cohésion sociale et le développement personnel. Aux Etats-Unis, les radios locales étaient importantes pour les mouvements des droits civils, parfois plus efficaces que la presse écrite ou la télévision. A l’heure actuelle, l’Association latino-américaine d’éducation radiophonique (ALER), membre international de SIGNIS, soutient les radios communautaires, la justice médiatique et les droits des peuples indigènes à travers l’Amérique latine, en donnant une voix aux sans-voix, aux minorités et aux exclus. SIGNIS Services Rome joue également un rôle important dans la promotion des radios communautaires : récemment, ils ont accompagné le lancement du réseau de radios catholiques au Burkina Faso, afin de pouvoir être diffusé à travers tout le pays. De la formation des équipes aux aspects techniques, l’équipe de SSR aide les communautés à travers le monde à monter leur réseau radiophonique. Ces radios communautaires sont souvent une source alternative d’information face aux radios publiques, non-démocratiques et contrôlées par le gouvernement, en défendant les droits de l’Homme et la liberté d’expression.

En Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée, à l’école technique Don Bosco, les étudiants ont créé un jingle pour Radio Maria.

Dossier

OCIC, Unda et UCIP travaillent dans les médias pour promouvoir et défendre les valeurs de l’Evangile dans les sociétés du monde entier.


DossierEn ce qui concerne le cinéma, les catholiques ont également eu un rôle de prophète. Depuis 1947, l’OCIC (et maintenant SIGNIS), remet des prix lors de festivals internationaux de cinéma. Les films primés sont rarement ouvertement catholiques ; ils abordent généralement des thématiques promouvant la paix, dénonçant la guerre ou la discrimination, autour de la justice sociale, des droits de l’Homme ou la spiritualité. Les prix sont donnés afin de promouvoir des films de qualité exprimant les valeurs de l’Evangile.

Le dialogue interculturel et interreligieux a toujours été l’une des priorités de l’OCIC, même avant le deuxième Concile du Vatican. Par exemple, lors du festival de Venise en 1956, l’OCIC a remis une mention spéciale au film japonais The Burmese Harp, une œuvre d’une perspective non-chrétienne qui présentait des valeurs spirituelles et humaines indéniables. Le dialogue avec d’autres cultures et religions ont mené à la création de jurys interreligieux, comme dans les festivals de Nyon (Suisse), Fajr (Iran) et Leipzig (Allemagne). Depuis toujours, l’OCIC a mis au centre de ses préoccupations l’éducation au cinéma, afin de donner au public des clés pour juger par lui-même de la qualité des films et de décider s’il pouvait les recommander. Dans les années ’50, l’une des priorités d’Unda était également d’apprendre aux téléspectateurs à comprendre les images diffusées sur le petit écran.

En 1969, l’OCIC a lancé en Amérique latine le Plan Deni, (Plan d’éducation cinématographique pour les enfants), afin d’offrir aux enfants une perspective claire sur les films en leur apprenant le langage audiovisuel et en leur faisant découvrir le pouvoir et l’importance de l’expression. Par la suite, dans les années ’70-’80, les visions de Marshall McLuhan sur la compréhension des médias sont devenues les fondements de la culture d’éducation aux médias de l’OCIC et d’Unda. En 1977, les deux organisations ont créé le projet « Développer l’éducation aux médias » et ont adopté le mot « Éducommunication ». En 2004 à Rio de Janeiro, SIGNIS a rejoint le mouvement du Sommet mondial sur les médias pour enfants et adolescents. Depuis lors, SIGNIS a été présent à trois autres sommets : Johannesbourg (2007), Karlstad (2010) et Kuala Lumpur (2014).

Les organisations fondatrices de SIGNIS ont eu un énorme impact sur les médias et la culture. De nombreux membres ont été primés et reconnus en tant que professionnels des médias, que ce soit dans le monde catholique ou en dehors. SIGNIS continue d’outiller ses membres et ses partenaires grâce à de nombreux événements, comme des conférences, des séminaires, des laboratoires de communication pour les jeunes (CommLab) ou des formations à la critique de cinéma. SIGNIS est fière de construire son futur sur ce riche passé, et continuera à agir en prophète dans les prochaines années.

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TOGO Du rôle du journaliste dans les médias séculiers

Le rôle du journaliste paraît évident dans un média catholique. Ce qui n’est pas le cas du journaliste catholique dans un média séculier. Surtout, depuis le 20ème siècle et l’avènement de la grande presse d’information. Contrairement à la presse d’opinion ou à la presse politique, la presse d’information est confrontée à une demande de plus en plus grande par le public. Cette situation est très accentuée en ce 21ème siècle, où l’éclosion de la presse en ligne et des médias sociaux donnent un nouveau visage au journalisme. Les sources d’information sont si abondantes et accessibles que le journaliste est confronté non seulement à une sélection minutieuse, mais également à un discernement minutieux pour démasquer les « fake news ».

Dans ce contexte, qu’ils soient journalistes ou non, les rédacteurs qui travaillent dans un média d’Eglise, « doivent être attentifs à tout ce qui se passe dans l’actualité et, parce qu’ils ont choisi le journalisme catholique, ils rendent compte de cette actualité en utilisant toujours le prisme de la foi et de la doctrine catholiques pour la présenter et l’expliquer. »[1] Au contraire, le journaliste catholique travaillant pour un média non confessionnel, est avant tout un professionnel. Quoique chrétien, il est d’office soumis à une ligne éditoriale. Il doit également respecter les principes journalistiques et la déontologie du journaliste. En plus du professionnalisme, le journaliste catholique dans un média profane doit jouer un rôle distinctif. Par exemple, promouvoir les valeurs évangéliques et humaines : l’amour, la justice, la paix, la cohésion sociale, etc. De nombreux écrits pontificaux exhortent les professionnels des médias à une prise de conscience de leur rôle dans l’avènement et la sauvegarde de la paix. Dans son message pour la 52ème Journée mondiale des communications sociales célébrée le 13 mai 2018, le pape François, comme ses prédécesseurs appelle les journalistes à pratiquer un journalisme de paix, en rejetant la complaisance. Dans le même sens, SIGNIS s’est engagée depuis 2006 dans la promotion des « médias pour une culture de paix ». « Tout en respectant les principes du journalisme, je tiens compte de la responsabilité sociale du journaliste en choisissant les mots idoines pour écrire mes articles, afin de ne pas embraser mon auditoire », témoigne Patricia Adjisseku, chrétienne catholique et rédactrice en chef à Radio Kanal, un organe séculier à Lomé.

Charles Ayetan[1] Dominique Marquis, Être journaliste catholique au XXe siècle, un apostolat : les exemples de Jules Dorion et Eugène L’Heureux, in Études d’histoire religieuse

(Canada), volume 73, pp. 31–47, 2007.

Dossier

Le dialogue interculturel et interreligieux a

toujours été l’une des priorités de l’OCIC.


Tema de portada

La fundación de OCIC, Unda y UCIP en 1928, fue, en gran medida, fruto de la acción de laicos católicos convencidos de poder explicar, promover y defender los valores del Evangelio en la sociedad. Muchas acciones y actividades desarrolladas por estas organizaciones en los últimos 90 años siguen este mismo patrón y alientan el futuro de SIGNIS.

Precisamente, uno de los valores centrales era que los laicos tenían que ser profesionales entre los profesionales de los medios seculares, para tener un impacto en ellos. Entre estos profesionales destacaban mujeres como Yvonne de Hemptinne, América Penichet, Marina Bandeira, Shoko Shirai, Angela Zukowski o Gertrude Johnson. Algunos aspectos de este legado son importantes y forman parte de la actual identidad de SIGNIS. De alguna manera, estas organizaciones pueden verse incluso como profetas en la Iglesia y en el mundo secular, y tuvieron una influencia en la cultura mediática.

Como consecuencia natural de su visión, estas tres organizaciones católicas internacionales hicieron todo lo posible para tener el estatus de Consultor para la UNESCO, con el fin de asegurarse de que los valores cristianos estuvieran presentes en las discusiones de los medios de comunicación y en la implementación de las leyes de promoción de la cultura entre los estados miembros.

Por ejemplo, uno de los temas principales en la UNESCO es la discusión sobre el mundo digital. SIGNIS, junto con otros miembros de la sociedad civil, hacen presencia en la UNESCO para garantizar que la dimensión humana y espiritual será parte de este mundo digital. Al principio, la radio era un medio para la publicidad en un momento de la historia en que una gran parte de la población no podía leer ni escribir. La presencia de católicos en la radio no sólo aseguraba las enseñanzas religiosas sino también las educativas, reforzando la cohesión social y un posible desarrollo emancipatorio.

90 años en pos de seguir construyendo

En la foto, la voluntaria especialista en informática eslovaca Alena Takochova y el primer grupo de voluntarios de Radio Bosco 89.9 FM, primera estación de radio comunitaria en Tetere, Islas Salomón, fundada en 2011.

Laicos buscaron asegurarse que los valores cristianos estuvieran presentes en las discusiones de los medios secualres.


En América Latina, la radio católica Sutatenza, fundada en 1942, es un ejemplo temprano de este desarrollo. También la Asociación Latinoamericana de Educación Radiofónica, creada en 1972, apoya la radio comunitaria, el acceso a los medios de comunicación y los derechos de los pueblos indígenas en toda América Latina.

Actualmente, las radios comunitarias católicas se unen en Sudán del Sur en una red para promover y defender el papel de la radio en la consolidación de la paz, la reconciliación y la no violencia en el país. Estas radios comunitarias son una fuente alternativa de información frente a las emisoras oficiales y son, a menudo, la única voz para defender los derechos humanos en países como Filipinas o la República Democrática del Congo.

De la misma manera, laicos como Cas Goossens, quien se convirtió en director general de la emisora de radio y televisión pública flamenca de Bélgica, marcaron con su espiritualidad a las instituciones, medios de comunicación y la cultura de sus paises. ¿De qué manera el trabajo internacional católico en el cine fue profético? Desde 1947 OCIC / SIGNIS, otorga Premios Internacionales de Cine. La mayoría de ellos se entregaron a películas que promovían valores del Evangelio como la paz, la igualdad, la justicia social, los derechos humanos, la espiritualidad, entre otros. Aunque esta mirada hacia el cine fue adoptada por la Iglesia desde el Concilio Vaticano II, OCIC comenzó con esta visión desde la década de 1950.

Al mismo tiempo, en el festival de cine de Venecia en 1956, al premiar a la película japonesa The Burmese Harp OCIC resaltó la importancia espiritual y humana de una obra cuyo origen era una cultura no cristiana. Fue el primero de muchos premios semejante que apuntalaron el diálogo con otras religiones y culturas, y que derivó en la organización de jurados interreligiosos.

También el cuidado por la creación fue otro tema central. Por ejemplo, en 2001, OCIC otorgó su premio a Choropamba, el precio del oro, que mostraba la destrucción de la naturaleza y la vida humana por las grandes compañías mineras, a lo que se suma la Mención Especial SIGNIS en 2009 a la película japonesa The Gift of Pachamama.

Desde los comienzos de OCIC, la idea de la educación cinematográfica era un punto central de atención, dando al público las herramientas para descubrir las cualidades de una película, para que pudiera decidir si un filme era recomendable. En la década de 1950, para Unda también se convirtió en una prioridad que la audiencia televisiva fuera educada para leer y comprender las imágenes de la pantalla chica.

En este sentido, OCIC lanzó en 1969, en América Latina, el Plan Deni (Plan de Educación cinematográfica para Niños), cuyo objetivo era que los niños adquirieran una perspectiva sobre el lenguaje audiovisual y descubrir así, su poder de expresión y su valor como medio de comunicación.

En 1977, Unda lanzó el proyecto “Desarrollo de la educación para los medios”. OCIC y Unda adoptaron la redacción Educomunicación, una palabra nueva, que identificaba una práctica común desarrollada desde décadas atrás. Desde el primer momento quedó el componente pedagógico de la comunicación y la necesidad de ser un crítico de los medios.

¿Qué había en estas iniciativas de carácter profético? Que en los años setenta y ochenta los planes de estudio se decantaron hacia una educación multimedia. No se trata solo de una educación con respecto a la televisión, el cine o la prensa, sino que todos vivimos en un mundo con múltiples medios, desde la radio a la computadora, desde la prensa hasta el vídeo, y desde el póster al satélite. La idea era, y sigue siendo, lo que la educomunicación sugiere: ampliar la esfera de actividades de aprendizaje a todos los aspectos de la comunicación. Con la llegada del vídeo, OCIC / Unda establecían que una educación en medios también debería llevar al alumno a la “escritura de los medios”, porque el objetivo básico de cualquier proyecto de educomunicación es desarrollar la “conciencia crítica” del lector-oyente-espectador.

GC

Una comunicadora habla a la Iglesia“¿Que diría una comunicadora a la Iglesia sobre su trabajo informativo dentro de las estructuras eclesiales?”

En mi función como comunicadora de la Iglesia Católica tengo el privilegio de comunicar un mensaje evangelizador a nuestros hermanos y hermanas que constituyen nuestra audiencia dentro de la Diócesis. Se trata de un mensaje actualizado, que refleja valores de amor y esperanza y que abarca niveles de espiritualidad y valores profundos. Como profesional en el mundo de las comunicaciones, tengo la responsabilidad de crear un contenido objetivo, que invite a la acción y que tenga como resultado un impacto positivo a niveles internos dentro de nuestra Diócesis y externos con la comunidad y el mundo. Las ramificaciones del trabajo de los comunicadores de la Iglesia no se limitan a espacios dentro de las esferas Católicas sino que trascienden hacia el mundo ecuménico para unirse a la misión de la iglesia universal.

La presencia de una mayor diversidad dentro de la Iglesia, crea un impacto directo en la manera de diseminar mensajes dentro de las estructuras eclesiales. Esta diversidad se refleja en el estilo de los mensajes asi como en los vehículos utilizados para su diseminación. Como comunicadora de la Iglesia, es mi trabajo originar comunicaciones eficaces que lleguen a un público más amplio y que promuevan un intercambio más profundo con la misión de la Iglesia. Promover y fortalecer las relaciones con los medios y desarrollar políticas que permitan un dialogo honesto y de respeto mutuo es parte esencial de esta misión. En la actualidad, el mundo se encuentra rodeado de nuevos medios e imágenes que permiten a comunicadores profesionales dentro de la Iglesia Católica la oportunidad

Tema de portada

Radios comunitarias

a menudo son muchas veces una fuente alternativa

de información para defender los

derechos humanos.


ECUADORLa radio comunitaria promotora de una vida digna

La Ley Orgánica de Comunicación de Ecuador define a los medios de comunicación comunitarios como aquellos “cuya propiedad, administración y dirección corresponden a colectivos u organizaciones sociales sin fines de lucro, a comunas, comunidades, pueblos y nacionalidades” y que buscan una rentabilidad social (artículo 85 de la LOC). Es cierto que solo con la aprobación de la Constitución vigente y con la Ley Orgánica de Comunicación se reconoce legalmente a los medios de comunicación comunitarios, no obstante, algunas radios sin fines de lucro y al servicio de la comunidad existen en Ecuador desde hace al menos unos 60 o 70 años, por iniciativa de la Iglesia católica.

Una de las primeras emisoras que se preocuparon por la promoción humana, tanto como por el desarrollo social y económico de los pueblos más pobres y marginados, como los indígenas y campesinos, fue la radio de las Escuelas Radiofónicas Populares del Ecuador, ERPE, fundada en 1962 por el entonces Obispo de Riobamba, Monseñor Leonidas Proaño. Desde entonces, esta radioemisora asumió el compromiso de contribuir a la superación de la pobreza y la recuperación de la dignidad humana, particularmente de los indígenas, a través de programas de alfabetización por radio. El aporte de esta emisora para lograr la promoción humana, particularmente del sector indígena, se evidencia en el hecho de que en la primera década de servicio a la comunidad fueron alfabetizados al menos “20.000 indígenas y campesinos de 13 provincias del Ecuador”. A más de su aporte a la educación y alfabetización, ERPE fue la promotora también del cooperativismo, tanto como del mejoramiento las formas y técnicas de cultivo y cuidado de la tierra.

A la luz de esta referencia de servicio a la comunidad, desde la comunicación radiofónica, se crearon también otras emisoras de iniciativa eclesial como Radio Mensaje, en Tabacundo, que fue fundada por el entonces párroco, Isaías Barriga, o las radioescuelas de la Federación Shuar, promovida por los misioneros salesianos, en la provincia de Morona Santiago, todas con el compromiso de ser instrumentos al servicio de los pueblos más marginados y para permitir que los mismos indígenas, a quienes se les había negado la posibilidad de expresarse, recuperen el derecho a que su voz se escuche por la radio.

Así, bien se puede asegurar que estas radioemisoras son las pioneras de lo que hoy se reconocen como radios comunitarias, y que se han caracterizado por estar al servicio de las “comunas, comunidades, pueblos y nacionalidades”. A estas experiencias de radio comunitaria se sumarían luego otras que igualmente son de iniciativa eclesial como La Voz del Napo (Vicariato de Napo), Radio Puyo (Vicariato de Puyo), Radio Latacunga (Diócesis de Latacunga), Radio Sucumbíos (Vicariato de Sucumbíos), Radio Antena Libre (Vicariato de Esmeraldas), Radio La Voz de Guamote, entre otras que en su misión comunicacional no persigue fines de lucro y que por el contrario buscan promover una vida digna para los más excluidos de la sociedad.

José MármolSIGNIS ALC

Tema de portadade compartir historias que representan nuestra fe en acción de una manera abierta y honesta. Con la participación y apoyo de nuestros Sacerdotes y Parroquias, se facilita el acercamiento miembros de la comunidad asi como la promoción del dialogo y una participación activa.

Nuestra Diócesis participa activamente en comunicaciones por medio de, declaraciones episcopales, comunicados de prensa, páginas web de la Diócesis y Parroquiales, redes sociales, vídeo, fotografía y diseños de material impreso. Resulta esencial tener consistencia en nuestros mensajes y en las imágenes que utilizamos en cada uno de los diversos medios. Esto nos permite proyectar una imagen positiva, establecer confianza en nuestras comunicaciones y desarrollar una percepción acertada de la Iglesia en la mente de nuestra audiencia. En conclusión, se me ha asignado el reto de contribuir al desarrollo de una cultura de comunicaciones eficaz y de apertura, que contribuya a la credibilidad de nuestra institución con el afán de establecer vehículos de comunicaciones eficientes y duraderos. Un reto que se ha convertido en mi vocación.

Pamela Aleman


Stories of Despair, Yearning and Hope

Washington

American film At Filmfest DC, in Washington, D.C., April 20-27, the SIGNIS jury honored the American film, Outside In, directed by Lynn Shelton. Through compelling story-telling, beautifully scripted and filmed with cinematic economy, Outside In tells a story of yearning and hope. Incarcerated unfairly when he is 18, a prisoner named Chris is released 20 years later and finds himself an outsider, trying to re-enter the world of family and love and community relationships from which he feels barred.

Beginning in 1987, Filmfest DC has become an annual prominent festival for recognized filmmakers to show their work and for new voices to express themselves. The films consistently echo themes embraced by SIGNIS, examining human values, justice issues, and honest portrayals of life in a variety of cultures.

This year it featured 80 films from 45 countries over 11 days in the U.S. capital. The SIGNIS jury viewed 30 films and sought to award a film judged as best illuminating and celebrating what it means to be human in a diverse and challenging world. From an array of international choices, the jury recognized three films: Outside In, A Season in France and Tulipani.

Outside In is set in a small American town, which itself contributed to the texture of the cinematic experience, offering a quiet sense of the ordinary life sought by the main character. Under the surface, however, the reality of the difficulties of re-entry–especially for those previously incarcerated–gradually emerges. The very real social justice issue facing recently released prisoners in the U.S. provides the backdrop for the central conflict. It is often difficult to overcome the stigma of incarceration; employers are reluctant to hire convicted felons. Director Lynn Shelton co-wrote the film with Jay Duplass, who also starred as Chris, the released felon who struggles as the film’s “outsider.” Shelton is best-known for a string

A Season in France directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun got a commendation of the SIGNIS Jury at Washington.

Outside In tells a story of

yearning and hope.

Cinema


French literature in their country. In France one of them is employed at a vegetable market and the other as a doorman. The wife of one of them, Abbas, was killed during their flight from their country, and he has now to survive with his two children. One day they hear that their request for political asylum is refused. One brother commits suicide and the other runs and hides with his children from the pitiless police. The jury found the film to be powerful and well acted. The face of the overwhelming world crisis of refugees and displaced persons becomes deeply personal through the story of a man and his children who find their hopes for work and security vanishing day by day. The film holds up a mirror unflinchingly to society’s treatment of people displaced from their own countries.

Tulipani: Love, Honor, and a Bicycle (Netherlands, Italy, Canada) directed by Mike van Diem: With laugh-out-loud humour and joyous colour this movie celebrates personal love and community connections when a Dutch tulip farmer, displaced by a major flood, takes his tulips and his fortunes to Italy. Not even the local Mafia’s control and cruelty that threaten his new town, his family, and their livelihoods, can triumph over the altruistic goodness he represents.

Greg Friedman

Téhéran Professionnalisme sans faillePour la quatrième année consécutive, le FAJR (Festival international du film de Téhéran) s’est tenu au Charsou Cineplex, en plein centre de la capitale iranienne et au croisement grouillant de deux artères encombrées. L’occasion de découvrir la circulation impressionnante de cette mégapole de douze millions d’habitants où chacun, piétons, motocyclistes, taxis se fraient un chemin à un rythme vertigineux et miraculeusement bien rodé. Les cinq étages du centre commercial voisin, uniquement dédiés aux enseignes de téléphonie mobile, donnent aussi une idée du dynamisme de la ville et de la taille du marché intérieur.

L’accueil et l’organisation de cet événement sont marqués d’une vraie gentillesse et d’un professionnalisme sans faille. Cependant certains participants regrettent le trop faible nombre de films iraniens, car la production locale de films est d’une grande vitalité et le fruit d’une longue tradition de soutien public, que la révolution islamique n’a pas entamée. La création de la Fondation du cinéma Farabi en 1983 intervient ainsi tout au long de la chaine de l’industrie cinématographique, du financement de la production à l’aide à la promotion. « L’année dernière, il y a eu quatre-vingts films officiellement produits en Iran. Et dans les faits bien plus, environ 140. Parmi eux, beaucoup de films commerciaux et environ 10% de films d’auteurs ambitieux » selon Mamad Haghighat, auteur du

of movie comedies, including Humpday (2009), and several series on American television. Edie Falco, known for her starring roles in the American television dramas The Sopranos, as the wife of mob boss Tony Soprano; Nurse Jackie (lead); and 30 Rock. Jay Duplass, a prolific filmmaker, and his brother Mark’s documentary, Wild, Wild Country, is currently streaming on Netflix.

The conflicting personal relationships of each of the main characters are portrayed with a sensitive realism. In the end, the film brings them to another stage in their personal journeys, while acknowledging the effort it has taken to arrive there. Reconciliation—earned through the struggle to achieve it—is one of the satisfying elements which the filmmakers offer the viewer.

A Season in France (France) directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun received a commendation from the SIGNIS Jury. Haroun is one of the most talented African film directors. In 2007, he was Minister of Culture of his home country Chad. Two of his other films Daratt (2007) and Gris-Gris (2013) also obtained SIGNIS Prizes. The film entirely made in France is a highly political, critical film about the way refugees are dehumanized and criminalized in a democratic state (France), which says is defending its western values, based on its Christian heritage.

Two brothers escape from the Central African Republic, where civil war is going on. Both were professors of

Village Rockstars de Rima Das

A Season in France directed by Mahamat-Saleh Haroun got a commendation of the SIGNIS Jury at Washington.

Cinema

Le festival de Téhéran est marqué par une vraie gentillesse et un professionnalisme sans faille.


Cinema

livre Histoire du cinéma iranien, Editions du centre George Pompidou.

L’objectif de Reza Mirkarimi, réalisateur et directeur du Festival depuis 2015, a été dès son arrivée de défendre son autonomie et son indépendance de programmation mais aussi d’internationaliser cet événement par ailleurs largement soutenu par le gouvernement. Une équation difficile à résoudre dans un pays où de nombreux cinéastes sont encore interdits de tourner ou ont choisi de partir à l’étranger sans retour possible. Autres objectifs recherchés par le Festival et ses organisateurs : varier les genres et les styles cinématographiques et contribuer au développement de co-productions internationales. La sélection 2018 est le reflet de ce subtil équilibre, avec quatorze films en compétition officielle, dont trois films iraniens et quatre co-productions, européennes principalement. Au Palmarès, le Jury a donné le Simorgh d’Or au film bulgare Aga, de Milko Lazarov, chronique familiale émouvante sur le quotidien difficile des nomades iakoutes en Sibérie. Le Simorgh d’Argent (Meilleur réalisateur) a été remis au film russe Dovlatov, d’Alexey German Jr., biopic du romancier soviétique éponyme, censuré par le KGB puis émigré aux Etats-Unis.

Le Jury Inter-religieux a pu visionner une sélection de dix films, issus de la compétition internationale ou de sélections parallèles comme Eastern Vista, un panorama de films asiatiques et du Moyen-Orient (Turquie, Syrie, Azerbaïdjan, Géorgie,…), et découvrir ainsi une filmographie peu vue habituellement.

Le Prix a été remis au film turc Grain, de Semih Kaplanoğlu, sur un futur proche dans lequel la survie de l’humanité est menacée par les changements climatiques, les manipulations génétiques et l’épuisement des ressources naturelles. La recherche d’une solution va alors conduire deux scientifiques dans la région des « Terres Mortes », sur un chemin bien au-delà de toute connaissance rationnelle. Pour le Jury, « Semih Kaplanoğlu a réalisé un film pré-apocalyptique visuellement stupéfiant et parfois ésotérique,

Dans son film Grain,

le réalisateur plaide pour plus de spiritualité et pour la préservation de

la Création.

Grain de Semih Kaplanoğlu

avec des allusions à la Bible et au Coran, qui plaide pour plus de spiritualité et pour la préservation de la Création. »

Enfin, un Prix spécial pour la Paix a été remis par le Festival au réalisateur cambodgien Rithy Panh, pour l’ensemble de son œuvre.

Valérie de Marnhac

Buenos Aires BAFICIEl Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente de Buenos Aires, en su vigésimo aniversario, se consolidó como una plataforma internacional para las propuestas cinematográficas de decenas de países. Si bien el sello de cada filme, tanto en la muestra internacional, como en competencia, es el de una notoria autoría personal y el predominio de una producción que escapa de los estándares comerciales, también se trata de realizaciones que permiten una conexión cercana con el espectador. Esto se confirma en la asistencia a las salas (alrededor de 390 mil personas) que concurrieron a las 36 sedes del festival.

Entre las películas que sorprendieron al público y a la crítica por su originalidad y duración, podemos mencionar a La Flor de Mariano Llinas (ganador del Premio Oficial en la Categoría Competencia Internacional), un filme episódico de 14 horas de duración, proyectado en tres etapas durante el festival.

El Jurado SIGNIS tuvo la oportunidad de visualizar cerca de veinte películas dentro de la Competencia Internacional, cada largometraje con una identidad audiovisual particular y una estética muy definida. Por decisión del Jurado la premiación se dividió en el otorgamiento del Premio SIGNIS y una Mención Especial. La Mención fue otorgada a Virus tropical, un filme de animación de origen colombiano, dirigida por Santiago Caicedo, basado en la novela gráfica de la artista Paola Power. Esta producción se destaca por la creativa técnica de animación y la sensibilidad del relato de una historia familiar contemporánea y las contradicciones propias de su marco cultural. La historia comienza con el nacimiento de Paola en una familia tradicional colombiana, o al menos eso es lo que tratan de mostrarle al mundo. El papá fue sacerdote, la mamá es vidente y las hermanas no son precisamente lo que sus padres esperaban. Ésta es la historia de una joven que lucha por su independencia en un contexto difícil, donde abundan estereotipos y apariencias, la vida de una mujer dibujante latinoamericana que se rehúsa a aceptar los cánones impuestos y que aprende a vivir trazo a trazo. Con una visión muy personal del mundo, esta niña es testigo y protagonista de una sucesión de pequeñas crisis a las que va haciendo frente, moldeando su personalidad.

El Premio SIGNIS fue otorgado a Village Rockstars (India), cinta de ficción con un destacado compromiso


Cinema

socio-cultural, en el que se refleja la convicción de la protagonista para superar diversas adversidades. Una estética bella en imágenes, acompañada por interpretaciones naturales y sensibles, que nos acerca a una realidad que no es tan lejana. Village Rockstars es una película de iniciación al aprendizaje del idioma de Assamese escrita, editada, coproducida y dirigida por Rima Das con la ayuda de un primo y jóvenes actores del pueblo, y sin la ayuda de profesionales. Incluso el sonido, dijo la realizadora en una entrevista, tuvo que ser grabado por su cuenta, y usó principalmente iluminación natural debido a la falta de un equipo de iluminación. En muchos sentidos, Village Rockstars refleja la propia historia de Das como cineasta, explican Poo Yee Kai and Liu Hsiu Wen in Asia Times. Das, que ahora vive en Mumbai, creció en el mismo pueblo que el personaje Dhunu y se inspiró para hacer una película sobre los niños en el pueblo después de diversos viajes de regreso a su ciudad natal. El protagonista de Village Rockstars es una niña de 10 años llamada Dhunu que sueña con tener una guitarra y formar la banda Rockstars, con un grupo de muchachos locales. Dhunu, sin embargo, tiene que luchar contra los estereotipos de género sobre lo que debe hacer una niña en medio de la pobreza y otras condiciones hostiles. “Ella [Dhunu] se considera tan capaz como los niños en una sociedad patriarcal. Ella fue criada por una madre inconformista que le dio plena libertad de expresión”, dijo Das a los periodistas de Asia Times.

Gustavo Winkler

Cannes Una cuestión de familiaEn el 71 Festival Internacional de Cine de Cannes, el Jurado Ecuménico premió a Capharnaüm de Nadine Labaki (Líbano), una película que narra la historia de Zain, un joven de 12 años que demanda a sus padres ante los tribunales por haberle dado la vida. Una Mención Especial del Jurado fue entregado a Blackkklansman de Spike Lee (Estados Unidos), por ser “una llamada de alerta ante un continuo racismo que se aprecia no sólo en Estados Unidos, sino en el mundo entero.”

Entre las películas en la programación había solo seis ejemplos de lo que Cannes reservó acerca de un tópico: el de la crisis contemporánea de la institución familiar. Se refiere a las películas Shoplifters del Japones Hirokazu Kore-eda, Chuva é cantoria na aldeia dos mortos de los realizadores João Salaviza (Portugal) y Renée Nader Messora (Brasil), Die Stropers del sudafricano Etienne Kallos, Los silencios de la Brasileña Beatriz Seigner y Weldi del Tunecino Mohamed Ben Attia, y Pájaros de verano de los colombianos Ciro Guerra y Cristina Gallego. A modo de ilustración, profundizamos en la película colombiana.

Pájaros de verano de Ciro Guerra y Cristina Gallego

Pájaros de verano relata el ascenso y caída de una familia wayuú —pueblo indígena asentado en la región de La Guajira, Colombia—, que se involucra en el negocio de la droga a comienzos de los años setenta para terminar autodestruyéndose. Estructurado como una tragedia en cinco actos (Hierba salvaje, Las tumbas, La prosperidad, La guerra y El limbo) que transcurren a lo largo de las décadas de 1970 y 1980, el filme describe un arco que se inicia cuando la joven Zaida conoce su futuro esposo, Raphayet, quien más adelante se convertirá en un auténtico capo del tráfico de marihuana que floreció por entonces en aquella zona, en el período conocido como la “bonanza marimbera”. Ello ocurre cuando la joven, tras concluir su ritual de paso a la edad adulta y ser presentada a la comunidad por su madre Úrsula, ejecuta airosa una impresionante danza donde personifica a un pájaro asediado por un cazador. Lo que no saben Raphayet, Úrsula y Zaida, es que ese momento de júbilo, cargado de simbolismo, marcará el comienzo de una siniestra saga de ambiciones desmedidas, guerras fratricidas y venganzas implacables que cubrirán de luto a la familia y la comunidad, hasta que el arco se cierre sobre el cuerpo sin vida de Raphayet, del que una garza inmaculada se aleja presurosa. Ni siquiera Úrsula, que en su condición de matriarca se erige en guardiana de la tradición y de los valores más preciosos de su cultura, será capaz de impedir que la influencia corruptora de la cultura “blanca”, como una suerte de castigo divino, socave esos valores y haga de sus costumbres ancestrales letra muerta. Pájaros de verano, en que el destino malogrado de una familia puede verse como metáfora de un país atrapado en una espiral de violencia sin fin, comporta además una original y feliz apropiación de los códigos del cine de género encaminada a rescatar y rehabilitar las grandezas y miserias de una parte significativa de la historia reciente de Colombia.

Alberto Ramos

Seis películas exploran la crisis contemporánea de la institución familiar.


Digital

On March 9th, 2018, Bishop Paul Tighe of the Pontifical Council of Culture spoke at the conference “The Church in the Digital World”, about evangelization in a digital world at the International Union of the Superiors General (UISG) in Rome. Part of it was specifically about the necessity of the presence of the Church in this “new” world.

I have already argued that the Church must be present in the digital continent. The real challenge, however, is to establish a presence that recognizes and responds to the distinctive culture of that environment. Just as in previous times, missionaries had to understand the culture, languages and customs of the continents they sought to evangelize; so also today, we have to pay attention to our way of being present, the language we use and how we will engage with the values and dynamics that characterize the networks. When it comes to understanding how we should be present in the digital environment, we need to ask the right question. It is not about how we should use the new technologies to evangelize, but rather how we can be an evangelizing presence in the new ‘world’ that has been brought into being by these technologies. The dynamics specific to “participatory networks” further

require that the person be involved in what he or she communicates. When people exchange information, they are already sharing something about themselves and their vision of the world: they become “witnesses” of what gives their life meaning.

Clearly, believers have a right, and a duty, to be fully active citizens of the digital world, to express their views and to share their deepest convictions. Our presence will only be effective, however, if we are authentic witnesses to our faith. We have to manifest our genuine concern for those we encounter by listening to them, conversing with them and encouraging them. We cannot simply bombard people with our ‘answers’ but must take their questions seriously and allow them to fully express themselves. A particularly significant way of offering such testimony will be through a willingness to give oneself to others by patiently and respectfully engaging their questions and their doubts as they advance in their search for the truth and the meaning of human existence. This is particularly important in an environment where any question is likely to attract immediate commercial and ideological responses and offerings. If we allow people to go deeper and to probe further, we help to ‘give a soul to

Church Presence in the New Digital World

Mgr Paul Tighe at the Conference “The Church in the Digital World”.

The Church must be present in the

digital continent.

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Digital

The digital world can be an environment rich in humanity.

Church Presence in the New Digital World

Mgr Paul Tighe at the Conference “The Church in the Digital World”.

the Internet’. It is important to remember that we are not ourselves the soul of the digital arena, but our readiness to listen and our openness to the questions of others will enable them to express their deepest personal and spiritual yearnings. In this way, we help to ensure that the digital world can be an environment rich in humanity; a network not of wires but of people. If we take others seriously, show respect for them and their views, and avoid any form of manipulation or exploitation, then we are both offering a consistent witness to our faith in Jesus and helping to humanize social media. This is particularly necessary at a time when many are concerned about the increasingly shrill and violent nature of some of the commentary that is found on social networks. We need to add our efforts to those of other people of goodwill to ensure that humanity’s enhanced capacity for expression and communication realizes its enormous potential to strengthen the unity of the human family, to foster an authentic culture of encounter, rather than perpetuate division and rancour.

As our relationships with those we encounter in the social networks becomes more profoundly human, it will become more appropriate and truthful for us to share the deepest source of our hope and joy. We hold a precious treasure that is to be passed on, a treasure that brings light and hope. They are greatly needed... The great digital continent not only involves technology but is made up of real men and women who bring with them their hopes, their suffering, their concerns and their pursuit of what is true, beautiful and good. We need to bring Christ to others, through these joys and hopes, like Mary, who brought Christ to the hearts of men and women. In the context of a truly human encounter with another person, we would be lacking in authenticity if we did not seek to share the Good News that set us free. We share it, however, as a gift with full respect for the freedom of the other and the mystery that will be at the heart of his or her encounter with Christ: within this encounter, there is the person and there is Christ. There is no room for the spiritual engineer who wishes to manipulate.

Bishop Paul Tighe

SUISSEL’influence de la transformation numérique sur les enfants

La Commission Fédérale pour l’Enfance et la Jeunesse en Suisse a publié, début 2018, un rapport qui analyse les conséquences de la transformation numérique dans leur pays sur les enfants et les jeunes en mettant notamment l’accent sur la formation, le travail et le temps libre. Le terme « transformation numérique » recouvre la profonde mutation structurelle du monde du travail induite par l’utilisation de technologies numériques telles que les appareils mobiles connectés, l’informatique en nuage, les réseaux sociaux, l’Internet des objets, les mégadonnées (big data), l’intelligence artificielle et la robotique.

Les appareils numériques font d’ores et déjà partie du quotidien de nombreuses familles. Durant leur temps libre, qu’ils soient à la maison ou non, les enfants comme les parents se servent chaque jour d’appareils connectés pour communiquer, discuter, faire les devoirs, échanger sur WhatsApp ou consulter leurs courriels privés ou professionnels. Le fait que les parents peuvent à tout moment être joints pour des questions professionnelles est une des conséquences de la transformation numérique qui fait, peu à peu, disparaître la séparation entre vie privée et travail. Pour les enfants et les jeunes, cela peut représenter un avantage de taille, car leurs parents ou leurs personnes de référence peuvent travailler de manière mobile et flexible, et ainsi concilier plus facilement vie familiale et vie professionnelle. Les enfants peuvent aussi joindre facilement leurs parents au travail, et les appels vidéo permettent de rapprocher les membres d’une même famille qui vivent à des endroits éloignés. Néanmoins, près de la moitié des jeunes sont sous pression et ils se sentent stressés. Les jeunes filles sont les plus touchées. Pour de nombreux jeunes, les réseaux sociaux et le fait d’être joignable à tout moment renforcent le sentiment de pression face à l’obligation de répondre rapidement, de réussir sa vie et d’avoir un physique attirant. Il y aussi la diminution des activités en plein air, l’individualisation due à une société de consommation et axée sur la performance (offrant certes plus de possibilités, mais augmentant aussi les attentes), la tendance à la sécularisation (qui remplace des valeurs spirituelles par des valeurs matérielles, comme la réussite financière ou une apparence attirante), le changement des modèles de relations et du rôle de la femme.

Le constat suivant s’est imposé : à l’ère du tout numérique, les compétences techniques ne suffisent pas et doivent être complétées par des compétences transversales (soft skills). Ces dernières comprennent notamment la capacité à résoudre les problèmes, l’utilisation d’informations complexes, le raisonnement abstrait, la gestion du temps, les compétences interpersonnelles et interculturelles, la résilience, la persévérance, la faculté d’adaptation, la disposition à évoluer, la créativité, la pensée critique et l’esprit d’entreprise. La créativité et la capacité à résoudre les problèmes font notamment partie des compétences humaines qu’une machine est incapable d’acquérir. Autrement dit, les compétences numériques représentent seulement une partie des compétences propres à notre époque (21st century skills). Il est prouvé que les compétences transversales sont mieux transmises par les parents et les personnes de référence, pendant l’apprentissage en entreprise ou lors d’activités extrascolaires que dans un environnement scolaire classique. Finalement, des activités en plein air et un environnement d’apprentissage sans pression sont, du point de vue de la psychologie du développement, le meilleur moyen d’encourager la créativité et de préserver la santé psychique des adolescents.

Info : CFEJ - rapport Gener 2018

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Safety of JournalistsChristiane Amanpour, journalist at CNN was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression and Journalist Safety.

In April 2018 the SIGNIS board joined its Ecuadoran members in condemning in the strongest terms possible the kidnapping and murder of journalists Javier Ortega, Paúl Rivas, and Efraín Segarra by a breakaway group of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) near the Ecuador-Colombia border. It offered its solidarity to the families, colleagues and friends of these journalists, whose objective was to investigate the truth about the scourge of drug trafficking-related violence afflicting the area.

These events in Ecuador are part of a growing wave of violence against the press that should not be tolerated anywhere in the world. “SIGNIS,” said in joint statement World President, Helen Osman and, Latin American President Carlos Ferraro “will continue to dedicate itself to work for the freedom of the press through its global network of communicators, and will denounce with equal force any similar harassment or attacks against journalists carrying out their crucial role.” These colleagues were acting, to cite Pope Francis, as “protectors of news,” engaging in a “journalism that is truthful.” We pledge ourselves to redouble our commitment to a “journalism of peace,” knowing that “the truth will make you free.”

The preoccupation of SIGNIS for the Safety of Journalists is also an important issue for other world organisations. Promoting the safety of journalists and combatting impunity for those who attack them are also central elements within UNESCO’s support for press freedom on all media platforms. UNESCO reports that on average, every five days a journalist is killed for trying to inform the public.

Attacks on media professionals are often perpetrated in both conflict and non-conflict situations by organised crime groups, militia, security personnel, and even local police, making local journalists among the most vulnerable. These attacks include murder, abductions, harassment, intimidation, illegal arrest, and arbitrary detention.

In the UNESCO statement on Safety of Journalists, it is stated that impunity for crimes against the media fuels and perpetuates the cycle of violence and the resulting self-censorship deprives society of information and further affects press freedom. It directly impacts the United Nations’ human rights-based efforts to promote peace, security, and sustainable development.

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Journalism

Violence against the press should not be tolerated

anywhere in the world.


Journalism

TOGOLes journalistes catholiques s’associent

L’Union Catholique de la Presse au Togo s’est créée lors d’une assemblée générale tenue à Lomé, en présence d’une trentaine de journalistes. La rencontre a permis d’adopter les statuts après amendements et l’élection d’un bureau de sept membres, présidé par Charles Ayetan pour un mandat de trois ans renouvelable une seule fois. Cette association regroupe les journalistes catholiques togolais ou œuvrant au Togo, quels que soient leurs médias. Le premier président de l’UCAP-Togo a précisé que cette organisation travaillera en étroite collaboration avec la Conférence des Evêques du Togo (CET), membre de SIGNIS dans le pays.

L’Union a pour but de promouvoir les valeurs humaines, évangéliques, démocratiques et citoyennes, à travers les médias, ainsi que le développement intégral et durable des peuples. L’organisation a pour mission de promouvoir et défendre à travers les médias le droit à l’information, la liberté d’expression, la liberté de la presse, les libertés fondamentales de l’homme, la dignité et les valeurs humaines ; promouvoir l’éthique et la déontologie des journalistes au Togo et dans le monde ; encourager un usage professionnel et responsable des moyens de communication sociale, particulièrement des médias.

Le bureau exécutif de l’UCAP-Togo est composé de Charles Ayetan (Président), Christian Barrigah (Vice-président), Gilles Gbagba (Secrétaire Général), Jean-Martin Amekouvo (Secrétaire Général Adjoint, chargé à l’organisation), Patricia Adjisseku (Trésorière Générale), Ambroisine Memede (Trésorière Générale Adjointe, chargée de la mobilisation des ressources), Jean de Dieu Panou (Chargé de Communication).

Charles Ayetan

Christiane Amanpour, journalist at CNN was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression and Journalist Safety.

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Under the framework of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, actions are structured around six axes: standard-setting and policy making, awareness-raising, monitoring and reporting, capacity building, academic research, and coalition building. The UN Plan of Action is the first concerted effort within the UN system to address these issues via a multi-stakeholder and holistic approach, and brings together UN bodies, national authorities, media, and organizations of civil society. It contributes directly to the achievement of the 2030 Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.

Since 1997, UNESCO’s Director-General has condemned each killing of a journalist, and since 2008, UNESCO has compiled and presented the biannual Report on The Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity to the Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC). It consists of updated information voluntarily received from Member States on the judicial status of cases of killed journalists.

Freedom of expression and free flow of information are cornerstones of public debate and democracy. Being the watchdogs of these freedoms, journalists are crucial to the very functioning of our societies. Yet, freedom of expression and the safety of journalists are facing major

challenges in Europe today. In many countries, journalists and other media actors are facing threats such as censorship, political and economic pressure, intimidation, job insecurity, abusive use of defamation laws as well as physical attacks. These offences are often committed in an intolerable context of impunity, which fuels recidivism and has a chilling effect on media freedom. Another danger for journalists and their sources comes from surveillance laws passed in some states under exceptional circumstances and often by resorting to extraordinary legal procedures, which may also lead to self-censorship in the media community.

On the basis of the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights’ case law, member States have both negative and positive obligations to protect journalists. Not only must they refrain from intimidating political declarations or judicial practices against media actors, they also have the duty to actively grant them full protection of the law and the judiciary in order to create an enabling environment for their journalistic activities. To achieve implementation of the Council of Europe standards in all member states, a strong and specific legal framework is needed, along with an effective enforcement of the protection of media actors by the judiciary.

Info: UNESCO/SIGNIS

Freedom of expression and free flow of information are cornerstones of public debate and democracy.


Radio programmes play a strong role in reducing rumours and inflammatory speech that divide communities in South Sudan. EURACTIV spoke to a person instrumental in the project, who received a prestigious award early this year. Daniel Lokolong, the media coordinator of Search for Common Ground, came to Brussels from South Sudan to receive the Austrian Intercultural Achievement Award (IAA) for the project Communicating for Peace in South Sudan: A Social and Behaviour Change Communication Initiative. Search for Common Ground uses innovative tools to end violent conflicts around the world.

Communicating for Peace in South Sudan is a 12-month project funded by UNICEF and implemented with the Catholic Radio Network. It targets youth influencers including media, religious leaders and community leaders through workshops, training, participatory theatre performances, community solidarity activities and discussions on conflict sensitivity and peace messaging. The radio network consists of community-based radio stations broadcasting in 18 different languages to an audience of more than 6 million in South Sudan and 150,000 people in the Nuba Mountains. Lokolong said that the civil war is creating growing insecurity and increasing violence across the country. Competition for natural resources perpetuate these cycles of violence at the community level.

South Sudanese Media

The South Sudanese Media have also borne the brunt of the crisis. Many media outlets have closed down, with journalists either living in exile or resorting to self-censorship. The Committee to Protect Journalists has described the media situation in South Sudan as bad and has listed a number of journalists as killed, or arrested and imprisoned. Radio is a powerful tool. Lokolong explained that most people in South Sudan listen to the radio. The infrastructure for TV is not yet there. The level of illiteracy is very high, so radio plays a key role in disseminating news and information in the country; hence it is the best tool for peace-building in Sudan, he explained.

South Sudan has 64 tribes, all of them speaking different languages. In his words, community radio stations use the local language, and most journalists are from the community. Most of them never went to journalism school but got the training at Search for Common Ground.

Lokolong said he was personally involved in providing training to journalists from local radio stations on how to do better radio production and produce peace-building programmes. This was organised by the ministry of information, and in many cases, this was the first time when journalistic training was provided to radio professionals in South Sudan. As part of the

Radio

For illiterates radio plays a key role in dissemi-

nating news and information.

Radio as Peacemaker


Radio

Communicating for Peace project Search collaborated with the Catholic Radio Network (CRN) in South Sudan, which possesses a network of seven community radio stations across the country. The live radio talk show, Hiwar Al Shabab, was produced by these local stations with Lokolong’s technical support. The show provided listeners with a sense of confidence in their ability to peacefully resolve conflicts and disputes within their communities, with a notably positive impact on youth.

‘Sergeant Esther’

The two radio programmes – Hiwar Al Shabab and Sergeant Esther – are to this day continuing to air across the CRN network, and their broadcast is expanding to other stations, including the UN Radio Miraya, which covers the entire country. Lokolong explained that the radio drama called Sergeant Esther depicts the character of a woman serving as a police officer, after her husband was killed in mysterious circumstances.

“We use this protagonist in the drama to showcase solutions to disputes and conflicts, which are brought to

her in the police station. She uses non-violent approaches and mediation, but she’s also a tough lady who doesn’t hesitate to uphold the rule of law.

The character is a role model to women in the South Sudanese community on how to stand for leadership roles and how they can hold a pro-active position, but above all how to use non-violent approaches to conflicts that happen in communities”, Lokolong explained. He said that under the project, for which Search For Common Ground received the award, the first 20 episodes (Season One) were produced. “These were very successful, and listeners asked for more,” he said. The subsequent project of 52 more Sergeant Esther radio instalments were financed by the Canadian government, and Radio Miraya has agreed to broadcast them for the next year and a half.

Info: Georgi Gotev | EURACTIV.comwww.euractiv.com/section/development

Providing listeners with a sense of confidence in their ability to peacefully resolve conflicts.

Radio as Peacemaker BURKINA FASO Radio Sahel fête ses 20 ans d’activités

Au Burkina Faso, l’annonce de l’Evangile voyage en modulation de fréquence. Dans un pays où la culture orale est encore très forte et où une grande partie de la population est analphabète, la radio constitue le meilleur moyen pour communiquer avec la population, surtout celle qui vit dans les zones rurales. Pour cette raison, le Diocèse d’Ouahigouya, dans le nord du pays, a décidé de relancer la radio Notre-Dame du Sahel en la renforçant et en augmentant son rayon d’action, un effort réalisé en collaboration avec les Jésuites d’Afrique occidentale.

La station Notre-Dame du Sahel a été fondée en 1997. Le Diocèse avait décidé de se doter d’un instrument de communication pour annoncer l’Evangile et pour aider les fidèles à grandir sur le plan spirituel et moral. « La radio, explique le Père Victor Ouedrago, responsable du Centre de communication diocésain, constitue un moyen d’évangélisation et d’éducation religieuse puissant. Elle transmet quotidiennement la Messe pour ceux qui n’ont pas la possibilité de fréquenter l’église. Elle enseigne aux chrétiens la Bible, la Doctrine sociale de l’Eglise, la catéchèse et la prière ». La radio constitue également un instrument permettant de tisser des rapports entre personnes d’ethnies et de fois différentes. « Au travers de la radio, se crée aussi un lien entre les populations, qui les fait devenir membres de la même famille, indépendamment de leur appartenance religieuse ou culturelle. Grâce à elle, nous avons regroupé des catholiques, des protestants, des musulmans au sein d’un même groupe au travers des clubs d’écoute et de dialogue ».

Il s’agit d’un rôle important au Sahel, qui, au cours de ces dernières années, a été secouée par le terrorisme djihadiste qui a entamé les bonnes relations entre les diverses communautés. « Dans notre région, les musulmans représentent environ 80% de la population et les catholiques seulement 8%. Créer de bonnes relations constitue un fait naturel. Nous œuvrons également pour le réveil de la conscience des citoyens, la culture de la démocratie, la promotion et le respect des droits fondamentaux, en particulier ceux des femmes et des enfants, souvent victimes de nombreux abus. Nous cherchons à créer une culture du respect dans un pays qui tente actuellement de se donner un ordonnancement démocratique après des années de dictature ».

Au fil du temps, Notre-Dame du Sahel s’est structurée. Aujourd’hui, 15 personnes y travaillent. Il s’agit de musulmans, de chrétiens – catholiques et protestants – et d’animistes. Pour le moment, la radio ne couvre pas l’ensemble du territoire diocésain mais seulement la moitié des 12 paroisses. Il a ainsi été décidé d’étendre le signal à l’ensemble de son territoire, en atteignant et outrepassant la frontière du Mali. Pour cette raison, le Diocèse a demandé le soutien des Jésuites d’Afrique occidentale qui disposent d’une expérience consolidée dans le domaine de la gestion des moyens de communication. « En perspective, outre la radio, nous désirons utiliser d’autres canaux de communication tels que l’audiovisuel, la presse, Internet et les réseaux sociaux afin d’atteindre le plus grand nombre de personnes possible. Nous visons à nous doter d’une communication intégrée qui utilise tous les canaux possibles de communication pour l’Evangélisation et les campagnes de sensibilisation. Notre ambition est de réaliser un centre multimédia capable d’accueillir les personnes pour diverses formations ». (EC)

Info : FIDES


SIGNIS Board Lays the Foundations for 2018-2021 in Brussels

The SIGNIS Board of Directors, elected representatives of the seven regions of the Association, developed at the Board Meeting in Brussels the priority areas of work for the period 2018-2021: funding, membership, development and marketing.

With the help of the American expert in strategy, Dominic Perri, the Board put in place specific projects and plans for the Association in its quest to realize its mission and vision. SIGNIS President Helen Osman said that the Board of Directors “has reflected on the core values of SIGNIS, the challenges we face and our aspirations for the future.”

During the days of reflection and planning, other decisions that have a significant impact on the future of SIGNIS were made, such as the appointment of the new General Manager of SIGNIS Services Rome (SSR), Maria Chiara De Lorenzo, who becomes the first lay woman to head SSR. De Lorenzo replaces Father Fabrizio Colombo, who had successfully managed the Rome office. Another

important decision was the selection of the site for the next SIGNIS World Congress in 2021. The Board decided to accept SIGNIS South Korea’s invitation for this event.

In addition, in an agreement with the Secretariat for Communication of the Holy See, a global video and poster competition will be jointly launched to promote the message of the World Communications Day 2018.

The Board spent a day in the university town of Louvain, for a reflection on three pioneers of Catholic communication who figured in the initial years of the organizations that preceded SIGNIS. The occasion was a symposium to celebrate the 90th anniversary of OCIC-Unda-UCIP, associations that merged in 2001 to create SIGNIS. The first international SIGNIS Award of Merit was also given to Cas Goossens, the first SIGNIS Treasurer. HO

ITALYSIGNIS has named Maria Chiara De Lorenzo

as the general manager of SIGNIS Services Rome

SIGNIS has named Maria Chiara De Lorenzo as the General Manager of SIGNIS Services Rome. The international Board of Directors approved the appointment during their Board Meeting in Brussels on April. “Ms. De Lorenzo brings expertise in public relations, digital journalism and participative leadership. The board welcomes her leadership in building SIGNIS’ capacity to meet the communication needs of the Church in Africa, Asia and Latin America,” said Helen Osman, President of SIGNIS. De Lorenzo, born in 1976, is an Italian journalist who has worked as a press officer for non-governmental organizations, as well as cinema and television production companies. A member of the Focolare Movement, for which she has overseen its international website for a decade, she speaks Italian, English, French, Spanish and German. She holds a Master’s Degree in digital journalism from the Pontifical Lateran University and a degree in Communication Science from the University of Siena.

The SIGNIS Board of Directors in Louvain (Belgium).


News


NewsPapua New GuineaMedia education in Catholic schools

The 2nd Media Education Seminar for Catholic Schools of Port Moresby was held in April 2018. Seven Catholic schools of Port Moresby participated in the program. The purpose of the Media Education Seminar (MES) was to give the students a critical understanding of the media and an ability to enable them to creatively use the media to spread positive stories. The program had three sessions. The first session saw MES animator, Sheryll Isoaimo dwell on writing articles. She highlighted the 5Ws and 1H and with the help of examples gave the students the rules and components of writing articles.

In the second session, MES animator Ian Zuasula shared with the students the different parts of a newspaper and made them understand the anatomy of a newspaper. He also highlighted the different sections that can shape their school newsletter.

In the third session, the students worked on producing their school newsletters by using what they learnt in the first two sessions and presenting their work. “Learning how to write articles and creating school news reports and bulletin board displays is what struck us most in the session today,” Caritas representatives stated. One of the results was that students of the Don Bosco Technological Institute applied their newly acquainted knowledge to revive their school news bulletin.

Early May another Media Education Seminar on audio and visual media was conducted at the Sivarai Namona Centre in Bomana. These seminars were organized by the SIGNIS member in Papua New Guinea.

Abigail Seta

SRI LANKADr. Lester James Peiris (1919-2018)

One of the pioneers in bringing worldwide recognition to Sinhala Cinema was the Sri Lankan film director, producer and screenwriter Lester James Peiris. He was a Catholic and

his work was also highly appreciated by the Buddhist, Hindi and Muslim population of his country. He gave the Sinhala cinema its identity.

Peiris was involved in twenty eight films, including shorts and documentaries, but he made a name for himself by directing Rekava and Gamperaliya. Rekava (1956) was nominated for the Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for its cultural originality and the way in which it used family tensions to symbolize broader social issues. Gamperaliya (Changes in the Village) was the first Sinhala film recorded without any songs and like Rekava (Line of Destiny) was shot outside the studio, marking a break

from the first decade of the movement when its films were shot in India and included shoddy remakes of Indian hits. He became an “author” cinema. The neo-realistic film Gamperaliva obtained international fame and was selected in Cannes.

«He wanted to show the natural beauty of the artist without any makeup, and he would always encourage us to act in a natural way,» said the famous film actress Irangani Serasinghe in an interview. She added that he showed real life on the screen. «His stories dealt with religion, the caste system, cultural values and rural life in Sri Lanka,» she added. Father Lal Pushpadewa Fernando, an oblate priest and Sri Lanka’s national director of social communication, recalled how Peiris also brought to the nation’s fledgling cinema industry the support of the Church. «In 1972, Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church invited a number of artists to an event marking the launch of the local chapters of SIGNIS and OCIC», said Father Fernando, who also serves as the president of SIGNIS Sri Lanka. «Since that time he remained very active in supporting all three organizations», he added. Peiris won several SIGNIS and OCIC awards and was bestowed with a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to the industry in 2017. His wife Sumithra Peiris, also a film director and producer, continues to work with the SIGNIS jury. The veteran film-maker’s funeral was held on May 2nd with full state honors. The government also declared the day as a Day of National Mourning as a sign of respect for Peries.

UCAN/SIGNIS

CYPRUSRita Elmounayer new CEO of SAT-7

Deputy CEO and Chief Channels Officer Rita Elmounayer was appointed as CEO Designate by the SAT-7 International Council at

its recent meeting, held before the NETWORK 2018 conference. The transition of responsibility will probably take place in 2019. Until then, Elmounayer will continue to operate in her current role as the Chief Channels Officer, and founder and CEO Dr. Terence Ascott as CEO. Rita Elmounayer has been with SAT-7 since its very beginning. Born in Lebanon, she was the first presenter to brave being on-screen in 1996, when SAT-7 broadcast just a two-hour weekly Arabic program. Now, 22 years on, Elmounayer’s passion and dedication for SAT-7’s ministry is stronger than ever. Having invested over 40 years in the Middle East and building SAT-7 from the ground up, Dr. Ascott will take on a new role, as “Founder/President”. This will initially include continuing to be available to Rita as the new CEO and other members of the Middle East Leadership Team – for advice or help, as requested. It will also involve continuing to promote the organisation to supporters and potential supporters worldwide. Dr. Ascott has been President of the SIGNIS International Group since early 2018.

Info: SAT 7


News

USAPauline Sr Rose Pacatte Receives Doctorate of Ministry in Pastoral Communication On May 4th, 2018 Sr Rose Pacatte, FSP, received a Doctorate of Ministry from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Mishawaka, Indiana, USA. Her studies were in film and pastoral communication, and her doctoral project was a textbook for undergraduate university students entitled, To Seek God’s Face: Theological Approaches to Film.

The textbook started with a statement by André Bazin, the French Catholic film critic: “Cinema has always been interested in God.” In her project, Sr Rose considered why the study of theology and mainstream film is relevant to Christians and interesting to seekers and non-believers who search for transcendence and meaning. Through praxis-informed theological frameworks and several examples of how to apply these, Sr Rose provides existing and emerging ways to approach film and to engage in “doing” theology and film. These approaches can be practiced individually and as a group or community, thus pushing the limits of an understanding of pastoral communication as counseling or a one-on-one endeavor. The educational or pastoral methodology underpinning the project is one of dialogue and respect for each person’s subjective interpretation of a film’s meaning. The President of the Graduate Theological Foundation, Kendra E. Clayton, Ed.D. awarded Sr Rose’s doctoral project with the institute’s Mother Teresa Prize in Spirituality and Community Service.

Sr Rose has a M.Ed. in Media Literacy from the University of London and has co-authored several books on media literacy as well as scripture and film with Peter Malone, MSH. Sr Rose has been the film critic for St. Anthony Messenger magazine for fifteen years and film and television contributor to the National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org) since 2009. Sr Rose first became involved in SIGNIS (OCIC and Unda-USA) in 1988.

SIGNIS

INDIASIGNIS India National Assembly The SIGNIS India National Assembly 2018 ended in February at the Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, with the theme, “Media: Current Trends & Emerging Challenges”. Most Rev. P.K. George, Chairman of the Social Communication Commission of the North East Region and Bishop of Miao Diocese, and Most Rev. Stephen Rotulanga, Bishop of Aizwal joined the members of SIGNIS India for the event.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. R. S. Mooshahary, Former Governor of Meghalaya, followed by the four main speakers: Ms. Charu Soni (the Media Landscape in India Today: Truth, Secularism versus Political Patronage and Silencing Dissent); Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil (Social & Political Responsibility & the Quest for Truth); Dr. J. Alexander of the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) Office (Have the Political Ideologies and Vested Interests Hijacked Media Space? A Review of Current Media Scenario in India), Smt. Reshma NC Shah (Media in India Today: Commercialization, Political Allegiance vis-a-vis Public Service and RTI), and Dr Fr. George Plathottam, SDB, Former Secretary of CBCI Office of Social Communications, (Challenges to Christian Communications in India today). In addition there were the panel discussions with Ms. Iban Mawrie, (Fake News), Fr. C. M. Paul (Social Media), Dr Neha Gupta (Internet Trolling and the Dark Web) and Mr Michael Peria (Cyber Crimes).

On the second day, Mr. Magimai Pragasam, Dr John Paul, SVD, Mr Allen Brooks and Fr. Ashok Vaghela from the South, North, Northeast and Western Regions respectively gave a perspective on present socio-political issues troubling their regions.

At the SIGNIS India General Assembly, reports were presented and the members discussed and shared about the different concerns of the national organisation. The new Executives for 2018-2022 were elected: Fr. Stanley Kozhichira as President; Fr. Norbert Herman, SVD, as Vice-President; Fr. Victor Vijay Lobo, as Secretary-Treasurer; and Mr. Nirmal Raj and Sr Joeyanna D’Souza, FSP, as members of the Project Screening Committee.Sr Joeyanna D’Souza, FSP.

Sr Joeyanna D’Souza FSP

INDIAPeace and Media Education

On May 2nd, 2018 a one-day seminar was organized for the youth leaders of Kumarghat Parish of Agartala Diocese in Tripura by the Parish Youth animators. There were around 128 youth from different villages of the parish. Many of the youth were on summer holidays from their schools and the parish took this opportunity to bring them together for media education. Fr. Ivan D’ Silva, SVD, the Diocesan Coordinator for Social Communication was the resource person. He spoke on “Peace and Media Education”.

Through a PowerPoint presentation and appropriate video clips, he convinced the youth of the importance of peace and dialogue, and how we can learn good things from each


Newsreligion. He said, “…how the communal forces trying to polarise the nation, and anti-Christian movements, are rising”.

In another session Fr. Ivan dealt with the importance of media education and mobile device usage. He brought to their attention why young people today get addicted to their mobile devices. Using a game, he taught them not to be hedonistic, but to share and interact with each other instead. He called on the youth to be responsible in their own family, village and in the Church. The organizers succeeded in getting the youth together and making them feel appreciated and recognized.

Info: News desk, Agartala

JAPANAnnual Japan SIGNIS Prize

The 42nd Japan Catholic Film Awards Ceremony & Screening were held mid-May in the Nakana Zero Great Hall in Tokyo. The Prize went to Blanka, directed by Kohki Hasei. A commendation was given to Junpei Matsumoto’s film, Perfect Revolution. Both were wonderful works that tell us about the beauty of connecting people to people. Blanka (Cydel Gabutero) makes her living on the streets of Manila from small thefts and tricks. She dreams of saving enough money to “buy” a mom. When she meets talented Peter (Peter Millari), a blind gambling musician, her life takes an unexpected direction. They decide to join forces in order to face their everyday struggles. Thanks to Peter, Blanka discovers she is a talented singer and, more importantly, understands that money cannot buy the love of a person.

Info: SIGNIS Japan

BENINRadio Immaculée Conception (RIC) a 20 ans

Cette radio catholique aide ses auditeurs à « approfondir leur foi » et à « dépasser leurs difficultés ». « La célébration des vingt ans permet de se lancer vers le futur avec un nouveau regard », estime le frère Clément Bonou, directeur de Radio Immaculée Conception (RIC). La première radio catholique du Bénin a fêté ses vingt ans en avril 2018. À cette occasion, Mgr Nicodème Barrigah, évêque d’Atakpamè au Togo et chanteur, a donné deux concerts à la cathédrale de Cotonou et à la paroisse Saint Michel. Un ouvrage de 190 pages a également été publié, relatant la vie de la radio depuis sa création et les contributions des auditeurs et des animateurs.

Info : La Croix Africa

CANADAComment retenir l’attention du public ?

« Les médias peuvent viser deux buts distincts : promouvoir des causes (droits humains, religion, bien public...), ou

faire de l’argent », écrit Guy Marchessault, dans le plus récent numéro d’En son Nom. « En Occident, la plupart des médias dédiés aux causes – soumis à la pression de coûts de production exorbitants – ont été rachetés par des financiers (sauf quelques médias publics encore en vie !). L’objectif des médias privés étant de s’enrichir, il leur faut plaire au plus large public ; pour lui plaire, il importe de l’amuser, de le toucher par les émotions, afin de retenir l’intérêt du plus grand nombre. » « Quoi faire pour retenir l’attention ? », demande-t-il. Il faut « raconter des histoires fascinantes et émouvantes ; cela augmente les cotes de popularité, ce qui attire plus de publicité et donc rapporte de meilleures recettes financières. » Il demande « comment intervenir alors en tant que croyants pour fasciner l’auditoire ? Comment se comporter dans ce monde qui vise surtout l’entertainment ? La question reste difficile : c’est que les langages religieux ne s’ajustent pas facilement aux langages médiatiques ». Guy Marchessault a enseigné les communications durant 25 ans à l’Université Saint-Paul d’Ottawa, il a participé à plusieurs congrès à titre de conférencier. En 2016, Communications et Société lui a remis un prix Hommage. Voir aussi www.ensonnom.org

François Gloutnay

FRANCECréation de la première vidéothèque catholique francophone

Le « trésor » de KTO, la télévision catholique française, représente, à ce jour, plus de 25.000 émissions et programmes vidéo. A l’automne 2018, KTO ouvre une plateforme internet offrant les images avec un moteur de recherche performant, avec un accès direct, gratuit et illimité ouvert à tous. Ce projet a pour put de diffuser mondialement des contenus catholiques francophones, adaptés à tous les supports de lecture : téléphones, ordinateurs, tablettes. Ce projet veut ainsi contribuer à l’évangélisation du « nouveau continent numérique ».

Info : KTO

MÉXICO Premio Nacional de Periodismopara el Sacerdote Sergio Sotelo

El sacerdote católico Sergio Omar Sotelo Aguilar, religioso de la Sociedad de San Pablo y director del Centro Católico Multimedia (CCM) de México, recibió del Club de Periodistas de México el Premio Nacional de Periodismo, en la categoría de Derechos Humanos, por la investigación “Tragedia y Crisol del Sacerdocio en México”, publicada en 2017. Aborda el tema de la libertad de culto en México, que está siendo diezmada, socavada y amenazada por la delincuencia organizada según el reporte anual del Centro Católico Multimedial. Desde años atrás México encabeza la lista como el país más peligroso para ejercer el sacerdocio. En su artículo se señala que en los últimos tres años se han confirmado 15 homicidios y la tendencia indica que el porcentaje,


News

respecto al mismo período de la administración 2006-2012, ascenderá. Por este valeroso trabajo, por su denuncia que verifica el alto riesgo en el que viven los sacerdotes, presbíteros, capellanes y voluntarios religiosos es que el jurado calificador encontró méritos suficientes para reconocerla como una investigación seria”. El Premio se otorga a raíz de la labor periodística y de investigación que el CCM.

Info : SIGNIS ALC

MÉXICOSIGNIS-México - Asamblea anual

En la sede de la Universidad Anáhuac, SIGNIS-México presentó en su Asamblea de 2018, el informe anual y el programa de trabajo para el presente año, así como la incorporación de nuevos miembros. Los directivos de SIGNIS-México, Ricardo Cruz (presidente), José Luis Espinosa (secretario) y Carlos Valles (tesorero), presentaron un informe detallado de las actividades realizadas durante el año pasado. Entre las acciones cumplidas se destacó la participación en el Congreso Mundial de SIGNIS en Canadá; la construcción de mayores vínculos con SIGNIS Mundial y SIGNIS ALC; y la construcción de cuatro proyectos específicos: Opinión Pública, Massive Open Online Courses, EcclesiApp y SIGNIS-México Joven.

La mesa directiva propuso la creación de un comité para la actualización de sus estatutos, la ampliación del objeto social, reglamentos, normatividad y reconstrucción jurídica de la Asociación según las nuevas exigencias del marco legal y fiscal mexicano. Sobre el Programa de Trabajo, la mesa directiva presentó tres objetivos centrales: la consolidación institucional, el financiamiento hacia

la sustentabilidad y la incidencia de la organización mediante fuentes confiables y rigor doctrinal. Inspirados en las experiencias de SIGNIS Mundial y SIGNIS ALC, fueron aprobadas la creación de seis comités de trabajo, cuatro proyectos eje y tres eventos programáticos, que sirvan para atender a los comunicadores católicos y profesionales de la comunicación en México.

Info: SIGNIS-México

PERÚEncuentro de Canales y Productores Católicos de América Latina

En abril se realizó en la ciudad de Lima, Perú, el Encuentro de Estaciones y Productores Católicos de América Latina 2018, organizado por SIPCATV. El evento se realizó en La Casa de Retiros Betania y conto con la participación de 81 comunicadores, provenientes de 22 países, quienes, durante los cinco días de la jornada, transitaron por las instalaciones de la casa y pudieron participar activamente del encuentro. Dentro del grupo había profesionales de 17 canales de televisión vinculados a SIPCATV, miembros de las oficinas de comunicación social de seis arquidiócesis, doce casas productoras y un nutrido grupo de productores independientes.

Monseñor Nicola Girasoli, Nuncio Apostólico del Perú; Monseñor Raúl Chao Quispe, presidente de la Comisión de Comunicaciones de la Conferencia Episcopal Peruana y Monseñor José Luis del Palacio, junto con el Padre Manuel Rodríguez, fundador del canal JN19, compartieron sus reflexiones y experiencias con los participantes.

Info : SIPCATV


Focus

Social Media Education - Trainer’s Manuel Ed. Magimai PragasamChennai, 2017

SIGNIS South Asia decided in 2015 to have as a focus social media education because of the reality that today’s youth and children in the region are more than ever involved in social media. The idea of coming out with a standardized manual on this topic was agreed upon during the Sub-Regional Action Plan meeting in Sri Lanka in 2015. Dr. Magimai Pragasam was asked to coordinate a core team with Fr. Gamini Fernandes and Fr. Ashok Vaghela. The result of their work were two workshops.

The first was held in March 2016, in Chennai, during which 14 scholars and media education specialists identified ten broad areas on which to build a lesson plan. The second workshop was in July 2016, in Sri Lanka with a similar group which continued the work of the first group. The result of these two meetings was the Trainer’s Manual for Social Media Education. The manual includes chapters such as Benefits and Impact of Social Media on People; Information Age and Information Literacy; New Media, the Changing Face of Communication; Ethics in the Internet: Whose Responsibility? and Media Education and Educommunication.

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SIGNIS in Malawi

Even though SIGNIS was established in 2001 as a fusion of Unda and OCIC and later with UCIP, its history in Malawi is traceable as a bottom-up movement arising from some young, enthusiastic, Catholic journalists including Felix Mponda, Francis Chikunkhuzeni and Richard Chide. They were courageous and committed to defend democratic principals. Their work facilitated the uprising that resulted into the democratization of the country. In 1991, these young Catholic journalists attended a conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, organized by the International Association of Young Journalists. This meeting was rather providential since 1992 is when Malawi began to experience a wind of social and political change from one political party to multiparty democracy after the Catholic bishops had written a pastoral letter entitled Living Our Faith. It condemned the dictatorship of Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda and his party, urging them to let Malawians enjoy their human rights such as freedom of association and political opinion.

After the 1992 pastoral letter, Fr. Piergiorgio Gamba, who was the director of Montfort Media, found it necessary to unite these young journalists under what was called the Malawi Catholic Journalists (MACAJO). At that time, Mr John Loga, himself Catholic and a prolific writer but retired, became the patron of MACAJO. The Catholic bishops, through the Episcopal Commission of Malawi’s National Communications Secretary endorsed the association and its activities. Unfortunately after a while the enthusiasm faded away, MACAJO became defunct. But, in 2008, a new initiative came when Catholic journalists approached the Episcopal Conference to ask for authorization to revive MACAJO under a new name, the ‘Association of Catholic Journalists (ACJ). Obviously, the Bishops endorsed the Association and has now almost 100 members countrywide.

SIGNIS membership in Malawi is championed by the ECM’s National Office, hence comprising of all the eight Diocesan Social Communications Departments four Catholic radio stations (Radio Maria Malawi, Radio Alinafe, Radio Tigabane, and Tuntufye FM), two print houses (Montfort Media and Likuni Press) and one television station (Luntha Television). Nowadays, the major activities of SIGNIS in Malawi have been facilitating training of various groups such as seminarians and religious men and women, the staff in Catholic media houses and pastoral workers in various dioceses. For instance, in 2015 and 2016, the Diocesan Social Communications Secretary of the Dedza brought together nuns and priests from all deaneries for workshops on media literacy.

In 2015, through the National Communications Department of ECM, all Catholic media owners came together to discuss matters of pastoral and national interest, and to plan together various activities including how to celebrate together the World Communications Sunday. Furthermore, there have been several workshops conducted at national and diocesan levels, on how our traditional media houses can leverage the new and social media – particularly Twitter, Youtube and Facebook. Through the National office, it is thanks to SIGNIS that the Association of Catholic Journalists is now back to life. The office facilitated a number of meetings in various dioceses, calling upon all professional Catholic journalists to come together at diocesan and national level. In 2016, these efforts reached a climax when for the first time in seven years, an Annual General Meeting was organized. In 2015, 2016 and 2017 a representative of the SIGNIS member of Malawi was part of the SIGNIS jury at the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

Rev. Andrew Kaufa

bachelors degreemasters degreedoctoral degree

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