By Verghese V Joseph –
Cochin: Signis India National Assembly 2020 got off to a solemn start with an Inaugural Mass at 9.30 am at Alpha Pastoral Center, Cochin. Bishop Kariyil of Cochin was the Main Celebrant.
In his homily, Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Kariyil (Diocese of Cochin) reminded the faithful that “It is not good for man to be alone”. Man has to be a communicating being. God said so because God himself is communicative. He is the communion of three persons. Communion is the ultimate end of any communication.
Bishop Kariyil allured to God created woman and she was “helper just right for him” – as the illustrated Catholic Edition Bible says. Seeing woman so exclaimed man: “at last! This one is bone from bone, and flesh from my flesh”. But soon the evil, the non-truth sneaks in. The crafty serpent could easily deceive her and she ate the forbidden fruit and gave some to him. Then the communion is broken, communication cut; and on God questioning Adam is disowning “bone of his bone” and is saying: “It was the woman you gave me the fruit to eat”. (Gen 3:12). From the Genesis we learn that God created man in his own image and likeness so that he may communicate with Adam and Eve. They did so in the garden of Eden.
In his keynote address, Parliamentarian Dr Shashi Tharoor, spoke about the prevailing situation in the country and said “Speak up now, tomorrow may be too late. He asked media professionals to be vigilant and stand up for what is right. “Of course there will be challenges along the way, but it is more important to verify facts and put out the correct message. In a age of digital divide, the onus is on communications’ people to come forward the present the correct picture.”
Dr Tharoor referred to an poetic form of a prose post-war confession first made in German in 1946 by the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984). It is about the cowardice of German intellectuals and certain clergy:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—
and there was no one left to speak for me.
In this context, he reminded the gathering that it is all the more imperative that people particularly media professionals speak up now rather than later.
Later on, he in an interactive session, Dr Tharoor addressed many questions that was put across – ranging from CAA, the fear among media circles, fear of the ruling dispensation, among other points. He urged media professional to come up with innovative ways to stand up for what is right.
Justice Kurian Joseph exhorted media people to act without fear or favour. But only fear of God and compassion for poor and voiceless. A sense of constitution of compassion. To serve the least and the last in relation to fundamental duties and rights. On freedom of speech and expression, he asked “Where does Freedom of speech and expression come from?” Besides Article 191A, it comes from the Preamble of the Constitution,” He revealed JUSTICE, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY and LIBERTY! In relation, Justice Kurian also mentioned that “Jesus stood for all these core values of human life.”
Justice Kurian also added that nearly 90 percent of amendments that were done during Emergency period were dispensed with except for — secularism and socialism. Hence both these are very relevant in today’s context. Indian Constitution is not anti-religions and encourages people to profess, practice and propagate their own faith. He had a word of advise for the media, “Continue to raise voice and not noise.”
To extend the communication line as far as possible and as fast as possible, is the mode of the modern times. Thus too many communicators and agents of communication appeared on the screen; unhealthy and immoral competition is the net result. Stories, events all became live. The hunger for the break-news gave birth to fabricated truths and half-truths and of late products of deep fakes. The fabric of communion was broken for purposes of exploitation, one’s own advantage etc.
In his Presidential Address, Most Rev. Dr. Salvador Lobo, chairman, CBCI office of Social communications, and Bishop of Baruipur, “We are all persons of communication. Whether one is in main stream media or on social media, or is professional communicator or whispers from the corner, human beings exists to communicate, through silent conversations, through loud silences, from words of appreciations to frowns of control. We communicate.”
“Today one who makes loud noise believes to be communicating, today shouting from street corners are called truth Sayers. Today the decision of the Majority is called the mind of the Nation, set aside the realities shouting at the University campuses. So we are communicating,” he added.
He also referred to Pope Francis message for this year’s Communication Day, “Story telling is the theme. We are all storytellers. We love stories.”
Dr Sebastian Paul, former journalist and parliamentarian, in his interaction spoke on media ethics, the role of media and its challenges. He reminisced his days of being a journalist and rued the prevailing situation.