Christian and Muslim Journalists celebrate 57th World Communications Day in Pakistan

The National Commission for Social Communications held a conference for journalists and media members as part of the celebration of the 57th World Communications Day in Lahore, Pakistan, on May 19. 

Fr. Qaisar Feroz, OFM Cap, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Social Communications, organized the conference.

Christian and Muslim journalists and media professionals gathered together to reflect on the theme "Speak with the Heart," where participants enthusiastically welcomed the message of Pope Francis, appreciating its relevance and challenges.  

Through an online message, the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan, Archbishop Joseph Arshad, addressed all the conference participants.

He said, "To speak with the heart means to speak the truth with charity, to be sensitive to the pain and suffering of other people."

The archbishop also cited the words of Pope Francis, saying that "the virus of war comes from the heart; the virus of discrimination, hatred, selfishness, and division also comes from the heart. All the journalists are urged to speak the language of peace, hope, and unity." 

The main speaker for the conference, Rev. Fr. Pascal Paulus OP, Minister Vice Provincial of Dominican Friars in Pakistan, encouraged journalists to speak the truth from the heart. 

Referring to John 8:32, "the truth will set you free," Fr. Pascal said that good journalism is the truth that comes from the heart and impacts the soul. 

He also said that journalists must speak the language of love and peace without fear to send society on the development path. 

Fr. Pascal also urged that journalism should be centered on love, peace, and freedom.

The Executive Secretary of the NCSC, Fr. Qaisar, also spoke at the conference, explaining that there is a need for communicators who are open to dialogue, engaged in promoting integral disarmament, and committed to eliminating that "mentality of war" that lives in our hearts. 

Following the presentation of the Pope's message, journalists were invited to express their opinions.  

The Director of YMCA, Mr. Emmanuel Sarfraz, said Christian journalists should undergo more training and be very careful in choosing their words when writing news to avoid offending those from other religions. 

Other journalists agreed with this, saying that words spoken with love make journalism more effective and that the world needs journalism that supports peace because there are problems and conflicts everywhere.

Director of Catholic TV, Mr. Jasber Ashiq, congratulated Signis Media and the Radio Veritas Asia Urdu Service team for organizing the conference.- Urdu News Service