Shaping Responsible Digital Citizens Through Media Education

Students from the nine Catholic institutions together with the facilitators of the Media Education Seminar.

Emmaus Conference Centre, Boroko – Port Moresby: Students from nine Catholic institutions gathered for the second session on 18 April 2026 for the Media Education Seminar – 2026 series, a training that empowers the next generation to use media responsibly and positively. Organized and facilitated by Fr. Ambrose Pereira, SDB, and volunteer facilitators, the seminar carried the theme “Voices and Faces in an AI Age,” providing both education and hands-on training in crucial skills such as article writing and news board layout design.

The sessions began with prayer and interactive games, followed by a presentation by Mrs. Sheryll Isoaimo, who led discussions on print media and the process of writing news articles. These workshops focused on two primary objectives: mastering the craft of article writing and designing effective news board layouts.

In the article writing workshop, students were grouped according to their respective schools, allowing them to tailor their experiences, gather ideas, and share information. During the session, students learned essential techniques for crafting engaging narratives. They were introduced to the concept of the “inverted pyramid” style and the “5 Ws and 1 H,” emphasizing the importance of presenting the most critical information first.

Students also expressed their creativity through news board layout activities led by Ms. Lucy Napitalai. In this session, they applied what they had learned to create news board layouts based on current events. This exercise not only enhanced their technical skills but also fostered teamwork and creativity, as students showcased their design elements and article placements.

The seminar concluded with an eye-opening discussion by Fr. Ambrose on AI integration in applications and its effects on the minds of students. He emphasized the importance of maintaining authenticity and ethical standards in an era where AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent, as well as the impact of AI on the next generation. This message resonated with the students, sparking meaningful conversations about how emerging technologies are shaping the human world.

As one of the institutions shared: “The articles I will write in the weeks ahead are post-events and upcoming events for our school.” – Don Bosco Technical Institute.

The Media Education Seminar – 2026 successfully cultivated a rich environment for students to explore the intersection of media skills and technology, encouraging them to become proactive and responsible digital citizens.