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Media and Communication Workshop Continues with Interviewing and Digital Storytelling
Br. Szymon Porwoł, SVD
(PNG Communication Coordinator)
September 12, 2026 — The second day of the SVD Media and Communication Workshop began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 7:00 a.m., with Fr. Dominic Emmanuel, SVD, as the main celebrant.
In his homily, Fr. Dominic reflected on the beauty of the name of Mary and on the biblical assurance that God has engraved our names on the palms of His hands. He invited the participants to reflect on the meaning and dignity of their own names—from appreciating who we are, to loving ourselves and, ultimately, loving others.
His reflection also posed a significant question for those engaged in communication ministry: “Can we evangelize and communicate goodness if we are not good ourselves?”
Following breakfast, Fr. Kasmir Nema, SVD, General Coordinator for Communications, introduced the day’s programme by briefly revisiting the previous day’s session on storytelling. Rather than using many words, he used an image as a visual anchor, connecting the two days of the workshop through a simple movement: from the word to the image.
Interviewing as Dialogue
The first session, led by Fr. Dominic Emmanuel, focused on “Interviewing and Scripting for Evangelization.” A technical difficulty at the beginning of the session provided an unexpected opportunity for Fr. Dominic to introduce his background and experience in media and communication.
He emphasized that an effective interview is fundamentally a dialogue rather than a monologue. Participants were introduced to different interview formats for radio, television and digital platforms, with attention to how each medium requires a different approach.
Fr. Dominic highlighted several essential elements of good interviewing: researching the person and his or her background, understanding the intended audience, establishing a clear purpose and focus, and maintaining naturalness and objectivity throughout the conversation.
Particular emphasis was placed on respect for the dignity of the person being interviewed, as well as the dignity of those who may be mentioned during the interview. He concluded the session with a practical example and introduced participants to his YouTube channel, Our Moments with God.
After the break, participants had the opportunity to observe these principles in practice. Fr. Dominic conducted a live interview with two workshop participants, Br. Szymon Porwoł, SVD, and Sr. Maria Thị-Phúc Phan, SSpS.
Telling Stories Through Images
The next session, “The Art of Digital Storytelling,” was facilitated by Fr. Ronald D’Silva, SVD. Focusing on photography as a means of storytelling, the session combined theoretical input with practical exercises.
Rather than simply listening to a lecture, participants were regularly invited to take photographs and then reflect on them together. Fr. Ronald offered practical guidance on composition, subject, framing and other elements that contribute to effective visual storytelling.
The session also introduced participants to cinematic photography and filmmaking, helping them see photography not simply as the act of taking attractive pictures, but as a way of communicating meaning and telling stories.
The afternoon continued with a session on the basic principles of photography. Even a heavy downpour over Nha Trang could not dampen the participants’ enthusiasm as they continued learning and practising.
Following the coffee break, participants worked in groups to communicate a story through pictures. Each group sought creative ways to express its message visually. The activity generated considerable enthusiasm, discussion and questions, while Fr. Ronald provided constructive feedback and practical suggestions.
The day concluded with words of gratitude and appreciation from Fr. Kasmir Nema, SVD, to the participants, resource persons and organizers.
The second day demonstrated an important principle of missionary communication: effective evangelization requires not only words, but also the ability to listen, see, interpret and tell stories in ways that connect with people in today’s digital world.
