The General Councillor for Social Communication, Fr. Gildasio Mendes began the session with his introductory words presenting the members of the Social Communication Sector who were in-charge of the different regions. He also invited the respective coordinators of the regions to present themselves and their region to the gathering.
Fr. Giuseppe Costa began his speech presenting the context in which he had assumed this responsibility as the director of the Salesian Bulletin. It was a big transition from black and white to that of four colour, and number of changes were made. He recalled that at that time, the SB had the task of faithfully adhering to the magisterium of the Rector Major, marian devotion connected to the basilica, the development of the mission. He made a striking affirmation, “Even if Salesians are less, it can be multiplied with the presence of the Salesian Bulletin. He was convinced that the SB could make more impact, communicate and build up in a territory even if the Salesians were less.
He recalled that the style of Salesian Bulletin that he had envisaged following some tactics of his predecessor Enzo Bianco, who had come up with the publication of a number of narrations and stories. He published articles that could narrate the experiences of the Salesian Mission, and these testimonies created a great bonding between the readers of the Salesian Bulletin and the mission.
Fr. Costa also reminisced memories when the Salesian Bulletin could publish stories of great significance to the Salesian world, the canonization of various Salesian saints, the opinion of the Church and the youth, and that of the public too. “The Salesian Bulletin is still a powerful tool of communication of the Salesian Mission. It was also a vehicle for fundraising, through which the readers could be transported to a particular need in a mission land, and the propaganda of SB brought in a lot of development and blessings to the Salesian Mission”, he said. Right from the time of Don Bosco, the magazine was a tool of fundraising in support of his works, launching a real challenge of communication and identity. Many knew Don Bosco and the Salesians through the Bulletin by sending offers in support of one or other appeal.
He also presented the current challenges that faced the Salesian Bulletin today: the new technologies, economic sustainability, professional journalistic content, quality and creativity etc. He mentioned that the SB has a social function, and the information it generates creates love and bonding with Don Bosco and towards the Salesian Mission.
He clarified that be it online or offline, the content has to offer journalistic excellence and interesting content to attract the readers and cannot be treated lightly. He quoted the examples of many great magazines which had once a wider circulation, and were closed down because of the decisions made by those who were responsible.
Various questions were posed to Fr. Costa on themes such as technology, sustainability and challenges of online editions etc. He said that editorial activity was fundamental for us Salesians, as it was followed and insisted by our founder Don Bosco. He also stressed on the importance of respecting the norms and rules of each country, and how equilibrium, sustainability and professional excellence was necessary.
He clarified stating that the online editions had no boundaries and could reach far and wide, and the change in mentality was inevitable and important. The religious and those in charge of the bulletin should be able to communicate with the language of popular journalism in simple journalistic style, making sure to have control over the technical know-how of innovations and be knowledgeable enough, so as not to fall prey to online predators.
Despite the challenges, he exhorted everyone to think of the immense good and opportunities that the Salesian Bulletin can create when it reaches the homes of the people. When asked about the future, he concluded stating: “In my opinion, we need to maintain some of the winning elements even today by unifying paper production with potential networking sites and social programmes. We need to re-evolve and re-propose the Salesian Bulletin creatively and relentlessly without forgetting the purpose and the intention of Don Bosco”.
