GRASSROOTS MEDIA AWARENESS IN SOLOMONS
HONIARA: 24th September -- Directors of
Communications in Archdiocesan offices might sound a grandiose title, tying said
directors to a computer, radio, whatever. But perhaps not so in the
Solomon Islands. Fr. Ambrose Pereira, the SI Director, has many hundreds
of islands - indeed thousands, depending on one's definition of an
island - to contend with, and has adopted some grassroots tactics to get
out into the field and develop media awareness where it matters, amongst the
people. He is regularly assisted by Mr. Joe Vidiki, radio programmer at
Catholic Communications, and by others, passim.
Most recently, the team visited Visale at the
Northwestern end of Guadalcanal Island. Visale has seen the worst of
tensions and fighting in recent conflict, but now is peaceful. The DMI
(Daughters of Mary Immaculate), a local Congregation, is flourishing in the area
with 8 novices, and ti was here, att he DMI Convent, that the most recent Media
Awarness gathering took place. Assisting the group was a freelance
journalist from Namibia ( a long way away!). The seminar offered
understandings on print media and electronic communications, especially radio
which is so important for local communities in island
nations.
