Report by Sr. Robancy A Helen, Tiruchirappalli

Tiruchirappalli, June 30, 2021 : National Institute of Social Communications, Research and Training (NISCORT) Media College founded and owned by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India organized a-ten day online certificate course on News Writing and Reporting from 21st to 30th June 2021.

It aimed to enhance the participants’ skills in basic writing, news writing and reporting, news editing, article and feature writing, creative heading composition, interview reporting and letter to the editor.

There were 27 participants from different walks of life. They were students, teachers, social activists, media professionals, seminarians, nuns and priests; who completed the course held on Zoom successfully.

Mr. Sumit Dhanraj, a media trainer and writer from Indore, was the resource person for the online training. He trained the aspirants systematically and imparted the skills in writing and reporting. He inspired participants to read newspapers daily and write regularly as citizen journalists.

“The trainer’s preparation and presentation of the classes helped us to be enthusiastic and committed in writing. I can now dedicate my time to writing news stories,” said Presentation Sr. Anastasia Gill, a former member of the Delhi Minority Commission, advocate and social activist from New Delhi.

Ms. Aniya Maria from Good Shepherd School, Chennai mentioned, “I have learnt the different styles of writing and will surely apply it in my writing. The input sessions and study materials that the trainer updated us with were informative and useful.”

A group of trainees who participated in the online training were from National Dalit Christian Watch (NDCW). They would be the reporters of a digital news portal called “Dalit Christian Digest” representing 10 states from the country.

“The trainer has been enthusiastic and resourceful in journalism training. I have learnt different styles of writing. It has been a wonderful experience participating in the training programme. We will be connected to strengthen our voices for the common good,” said Ashu Peter, a social activist from Jammu.

“The method of teaching was interactive. His sessions encouraged me and I was happy to be part of the course,” said Yasmeen Tabassum, a school teacher based in New Delhi.

“I appreciate the hard work done by all the participants during this online training programme. The assignment reports, articles, features and interviews done by the participants were of high standard. I think you all are now ready to write in the newspapers and magazines,” expressed the trainer.

The success of the training programme goes to Fr. Robinson Rodrigues, the Director of NISCORT Media College and his team, who took initiative to organise this online course. In his concluding message, Fr. Robinson Rodrigues encouraged participants to write positive stories and do constructive journalism using the reporting style of 5W’s and 1H. He thanked the trainer for his commitment in teaching and congratulated the participants for their whole-hearted participation.

Sr. Robancy A Helen, Tiruchirappalli
(A participant of News Writing and Reporting course)