In a bid to enhance the communication prowess of Catholic practitioners in Ghana and bolster the Church’s evangelization agenda, The Catholic Standard recently organized a dynamic workshop on the Fundamentals of Media Relations and News Reporting.
Held from March 8 to 10, 2024, at the Society of African Missions Conference and Retreat Centre in Accra, the workshop gathered reporters, stringers, and diocesan communications staff from across the country.
Led by a cadre of distinguished facilitators, the workshop delved into essential aspects of media relations, news reporting, and contemporary trends in news gathering. Mr. Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, Chairman and Founder of APO Group, served as the main facilitator, guiding participants through the intricacies of media types, formats, and the preparation of press releases.
Rev. Fr. Dieu Donne Kofi Davor, Executive Secretary of the Department of Social and Pastoral Communications at the National Catholic Secretariat, provided insights into the fundamentals of news reporting, while Mrs. Victoria Lugey, a seasoned media expert, illuminated contemporary trends in news gathering. Additionally, Ms. Doreen Darko, Assistant Editor of Catholic Standard, shared invaluable insights into the editorial policy and in-house style of writing of the publication.
The workshop also received words of encouragement and wisdom from notable figures within the Catholic community. Very Rev. Fr. Clement Kwasi Adjei, Secretary General of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, opened the workshop with an optimistic note, urging participants to make the best use of the opportunity to learn and apply their newfound skills.
He emphasized the importance of putting acquired skills into practice to effectively communicate the Church’s message in today’s digital age.
Acknowledging the generosity of Mr. Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard and his organization, APO Group, in providing free Zoom facilities for Episcopal Conferences across Africa, Father Adjei expressed gratitude for their support to Catholic media practitioners and the Church at large.
Sir Benedict Assorow, Managing Editor of The Catholic Standard, echoed Fr. Adjei’s sentiments in his closing remarks, emphasizing the immense potential of the Catholic Church as a media outlet in Africa. He urged participants to seize the opportunity to contribute stories regularly to The Catholic Standard for publication, thereby leveraging the Church’s extensive reach to disseminate impactful and development-oriented narratives.
The workshop, which was attended by 35 participants, was made possible through the sponsorship of Propaganda Fide, Vatican, facilitated by the World Catholic Association for Communication (SIGNIS). It aimed to equip Catholic practitioners with the skills and knowledge necessary to produce compelling and informative content, thereby advancing the Church’s communication and evangelization efforts in Ghana.
With a focus on combating fake news, sensationalism, and bias, the workshop sought to empower participants to uphold journalistic integrity and contribute to the circulation and patronage of The Catholic Standard within the Catholic community in Ghana.
As the Church continues its mission of spreading the Gospel message, workshops like these serve as vital tools for Catholic practitioners to effectively engage with audiences and amplify the Church’s voice in the digital landscape.