As The Examiner - completes fifteen decades of its existence on 10th July, it can claim that it has during this era endeavored faithfully to serve the community imparting reliable information, speaking the truth about human life and its fulfillment in God, which is what the religious press is all about. It has succeeded in doing this by spelling out the various dimensions of Christian living and thinking in its reportage, and discussing secular topics which involve religious issues and values to the extent possible. A survey of the contents of its back numbers would bear out the truth of this statement. Specifically The Examiner has provided information, enlightening readers about the Faith and teaching of the Church. Extensive coverage has been given to authoritative statements of the Holy Father and other official dignitaries. It has reported international- national and local church programmes and ecclesial events. Expositions on developments in theology and moral questions, bible studies, worship, education and youth and other pastoral ministry have found space in its columns. It has run stories about key Church personnel and lay persons of inspirational value. It has done well lo highlight the Christian stance and effort in socio-economic and political events and championed causes. The extensive range of topics it touches upon is what is responsible for the wide appeal of The Examiner among Catholics in the country today. The status it enjoys as one of the most popular English Catholic News weeklies having readership not only among Christians but also among non-Christians in the country, is due to its reputation for adhering strictly to high ethical standards in journalism. In an era of electronic journalism, where beating the clock and sensational splash are top priorities, often at the cost of truth and compromise of morals and good sense. The Examiner has staunchly refused to fall into such traps. What readers need is reliability, particularly when plants, distortion and manipulation are the rule for the journalism of today which is guided by political power, profits and partisan interest. In these times rife with religious persecution and communal atrocities, readers regard The Examiner as a source of correct and accurate information because of the credibility it has built up over the years. In keeping with what the Pope said to the participants in the Jubilee for Journalists, The Examiner firmly believes "ethics are inseparable from journalism". This journal, which has been looked upon as the organ of communication of the Archdiocese of Bombay, has within its limitation, always attempted to fulfill the readers right to know and even express their views and grievances, but never without taking into account the other rights of the person. No freedom, including freedom of expression, is absolute. Nothing, as the Holy Father said, should be reported if it is damaging to truth, not just the truth of the events reported but also of the 'truth' of man, of the dignity of the human person in all its dimensions. The Examiner has been widely considered as an authentic source from which a sense of history of the Church in India could be obtained. It must be admitted that there are indeed shortcomings and failures that have marked the career of The Examiner. It has not always been able to effectively use the powerful means of communications entrusted to it for the good of all, specially for the good of the weakest groups, children, the poor, the sick, people who are marginalized and discriminated against. This is owing to want of professional expertise in terms of news-gathering, design, presentation, competence in writing skills, proficiency of knowledge in various Fields and above all lack of readership support in making it a Christian magazine in every Christian home. The Jubilee for Journalists is being organized to conscientise and mobilize all people of good will to contribute their time, talent and professional skills in discharging this important mission of social communication in a responsible way. May the new millennium usher in a new era of all rallying together to give more power to the pen so that the media may render precious service to the truth and indeed to humankind.

Fr Anthony Charanghat - Editor