Dimapur, Nov. 25 (EMN): A three-day regional seminar on “Creative use of Media: Path to Peace” organised jointly by Clark Communication and Cultural Research Centre (CCCRC) and Clark Centre for Peace Research and Action (CCPRA) held at Jongshinokdang Hall, Clark Theological College held from Nov.23 concluded on Saturday with a plenary session.
Altogether 12 papers were presented by scholars during the seminar. In a brief introduction to the seminar, Director Clark Communication and Cultural Research Centre Dr. L Imsutoshi Jamir said live is filled with media technology through which one communicate, work, play and engage with for making meaning and this he said implies the pervasive presence of media as an integral part of our everyday life. Information is power and insight can impact on public discourse, he added.
Jamir observed that the media is a double edged sword. He said it can be terrifying weapon of violence when it propagates messages and images of intolerance, misinformation and disinformation that manipulate public sentiments or can enforce and even change attitudes and perception of the people.
“If media talks issues of inclusiveness, unity and tolerance, it becomes a useful tool in conflict resolution and for peace building… at the backdrop of this unavoidable reality, this regional Seminar is organized on the theme “Creative Use of Media: Path to Peace,” the director said.
Dr. I John Mohan Razu, prof. Social Ethics, consultant and researcher, ACTS Academy of Higher Education, Bangalore spoke on “Media as a creative and critical tool: From truth to peace”. In his presentation prof. provoked the academicians, peace activist, media experts and church leaders by saying that “it becomes more important than ever that media ought to pursue from “truth to peace… peace pre-supposes truth, and without truth, justice and fairness, equity and equality would be buried and this set aside.”
The papers read during the technical sessions included Community in the age of digital communication: A theological reflection, spirituality of peace building in the era of social media: A biblical reflection, Anthropological approach to conflict theory and its relation to the culture of peace, Deconstructing social media messages for peace building, Viability of using folk media for peace building in north east India, Re-reading tribal orality: A path to peace building, Folk music and art in conflict transformation in North East India, communication media for conflict resolution and reconciliation and peace building, Display of religions in social media: Postmodern reading and Naga journalism and conflict: Asset or liability.
Resource persons were Dr. Yangkahao Vashum, Prof. Christian Theology ETC; Dr. A Tali Ao, Prof. Biblical Studies CTC; Dr. CP Anto, director peace channel, Dimapur; Dr. B Henshet Phom, principal & Prof. YGC; Dr. Lanurenla, Prof. Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung; Dr. A Temjen Jamir, academic dean and Prof. CTC; Dr. Atulu Lohe, Prof. BTC; Tinumeren Ozukum, research scholar FAU, Germany; and Dr. L Imsutoshi Jamir, Director CCCRC.
Master’s students in Communication Studies of Clark Theological College also presented on topic “Role of social media in social movements: A case study on ULB uprising.”
