Clark Theological College (CTC) organized a three-day Regional Seminar on Media, Religion and Peacebuilding, which drew over 70 participants including Master’s students, doctoral scholars, faculty members, and invited resource persons. The event served as a platform to present wide-ranging papers that explored the intersections of media, religion, and peace, and examined their influence in shaping coexistence in pluralistic societies.
According to an official communiqué from Sunupjungla, Programme Coordinator, CCPRA, the purpose of the seminar was to contribute to interdisciplinary discourse by highlighting the constructive engagement of media and religion in fostering peace, justice, and coexistence.
Prof. A. Temjen Jamir, Principal of CTC, delivered the keynote address. He reflected on the mutual influence of religion and media while cautioning against their misuse. “Stereotyping, labeling, and competitive supremacy can lead to division and disharmony, especially in pluralistic societies,” he stated. He added that peacebuilding in a media-saturated and multicultural world requires “intentional theological reflection, ethical media practice, and a commitment to inclusive dialogue.”
Prof. L. Imsutoshi Jamir, Dean of Doctoral Studies, presented on the Interface of Religion, Culture and Media, describing media as a “modern theological mediator.” He warned against cultural relativism and commodification of the sacred while calling for “digital hermeneutics, credible theological influencers, and reimagined ecclesiology” for contextual, Christ-centered engagement.
In his paper on Biblical Implication on Media and Religion for Peace, Dr. A. Tali Ao emphasized the Christian duty to faithfully communicate God’s word. He drew from the biblical vision of peace rooted in creation, urging participants to critically reflect on the ways the Bible, religion, and media are used or misused today.
Other presentations included Dr. Tinumeren Ozükum’s The Intersection of Religion and Politics in Social Media, which questioned whether social media can be redirected toward peace and justice, and Dr. Tiameren’s paper on Coalescing Media Spirituality and Ecojustice Spirituality, which described media as “a spiritual and ethical space capable of influencing ecological consciousness and justice.”
Further, Dhane Zhemai presented Mission beyond Vanity, contrasting humility with today’s culture of digital visibility, while Dr. Aorenla Longchar examined The Projection of Religious Minorities by the Mainstream Media, calling for stronger media literacy and alternative platforms to “amplify marginalized voices, challenge dominant narratives, and preserve pluralism.”
The seminar concluded with reflections from Dr. Sashikaba Kitchutzar and Butesen Ozukum, both of whom stressed the potential of media in either fueling conflict or promoting reconciliation.
Summing up, the seminar was described as “a significant opportunity to examine the intersections between media, religion, and peacebuilding,” offering insights and strategies for constructive engagement in pluralistic societies.