Prominent Catholic and Secular journalists to participate in Media Congress

Media Release
26 March, 2012

The Australian Catholic Media Council has announced that some of Australia’s most prominent Catholic and Secular journalists will participate in the Australian Catholic Media Congress 2012, a Congress which takes place once every three years at the Menzies Hotel in Sydney.

Chair of the Australian Catholic Media Council Bishop Peter Ingham said he was delighted to welcome media professionals who will speak over three days (30 April-2 May) at the Congress “Communicating the word: Timeless Messages, New Media”,

“We are so pleased to have the participation of people such as Geraldine Doogue from Compass, Scott Stephens from ABC Religion and Ethics as well as journalism academic Julie Posetti”, said Bishop Ingham.

“The calibre of speakers that we are able to offer to the delegates shows just how seriously we take the dialogue between the Catholic and Secular media.

“These speakers will talk about the impact of social media on journalism, and will share ideas of how people from all walks of life can use social media to promulgate a message of hope and peace”, he said.

The Congress has as its keynote speaker Monsignor Paul Tighe from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

It will also feature presentations by Former young Australian of the Year Khoa Do and Social Commentator Melinda Tankard Reist. CEO of FreeTV Australia Julie Flynn will speak at the Gala Dinner at the Amora Jamison Hotel on 1 May.

Australian Bishops including Archbishop Mark Coleridge (Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn), David Walker (Diocese of Broken Bay) and Peter Comensoli (Archdiocese of Sydney) will participate in panels, give presentations and facilitate workshops throughout the Congress.

Education professionals Dr Matthew Tan from Campion College and Virginia Ryan from the Catholic Schools Office in the Diocese of Broken Bay will also share theological reflections on the theme.

For a detailed program and to register for the Congress, visit www.communicatingthewordACMC2012.com . Early-Bird registration is available until Friday, 30 April, however registration will be possible right up until the Congress.

For media enquiries or to register your interest, please contact Beth Doherty on 0407 081 256 or (02) 6201 9859 or via email media@catholic.org.au