Zagreb, (IKA) — Under the auspices of the Council for the Mass Media of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, the 36th World Mass Media Day was commemorated in Zagreb by a series of events that attracted the attention of both secular and Catholic media.
At a press conference, the president of the Council for the Mass Media, Archbishop Ivan Devčić, expressed the hope that trust and openness will characterize relations between the Church and media. The Press Office of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, established at the spring session of the CCB, was introduced. Tasks already undertaken by the Press Office include the organization of press conferences, monitoring of the press via press and web clippings, issuing statements, conferences, organizing encounters with journalists and setting up interviews.
As part of Media Day, the first meeting of the “Church” web masters was held, at which the need for establishing a Catholic portal was noted. The Croatian Association of Catholic Journalists also organized a colloquy on Catholic journalism and the Internet.
This year, for the first time, an annual award and a lifetime achievement award were presented. Don Živko Kustić, for many years the editor-in-chief of the Catholic weekly newspaper Glas Koncila and the first editor-in-chief of the Catholic Press Agency — IKA — Zagreb, distinguished columnist and publicist, was the recipient of the lifetime achievement award, while Neno Kužina, for many years the editor and host of the television programs Peace & Good and Agape, was the recipient of the annual award. The awards were presented by Archbishop Devcic and the president of the Croatian Association of Catholic Journalists, Suzana Vrhovski.
Commemoration of Media Day concluded, May 13, with a meeting of the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanic, Archbishop Devcic and members of the Council for the Media of the CCB with editors-in-chief and journalists who cover religion. They discussed topics important for promoting their mutual relationship and understanding.