ATMA 2026: Celebrating Truth, Compassion, and Ethical Media in the Digital Age

The Archdiocese of Davao, through its Social Communications Ministry under the Archdiocesan Commission on Communications, continues to strengthen the Church’s mission of evangelization and truth-telling through the Archbishop Thibault Media Awards (ATMA) 2026, formerly known as the Davao Catholic Mass Media Awards. Relaunched on August 27, 2024, ATMA recognizes journalists, broadcasters, photojournalists, digital media practitioners, campus journalists, and parish communication ministries whose work reflects Catholic teachings, upholds ethical standards, and promotes the common good.

As the Church celebrates the 60th World Communications Sunday, the Social Communications Ministry of the Archdiocese of Davao underscores the important role of communicators as modern-day missionaries called to use media in proclaiming truth, fostering dialogue, and inspiring hope. Through ATMA, the ministry continues its commitment to encouraging responsible and values-oriented journalism that highlights human dignity, social justice, environmental stewardship, family life, workers’ rights, migrant welfare, and peace-building.

The awards feature 13 categories recognizing excellence across print, broadcast, online, and Church-based communications. These include the Laudato Si Award for environmental reporting, the Fratelli Tutti Award for stories promoting fraternity and peace, the Familiaris Consortio Award for works highlighting the dignity of the family, and the Communio et Progressio Award for outstanding photojournalism. ATMA also gives recognition to parish social communications ministries through the Inter Mirifica Award and to campus journalism initiatives through the Christus Vivit Award, reflecting the Archdiocese’s continuing effort to strengthen communication ministries at all levels of the Church.

According to Rev. Fr. Ritsche Gamaya, Director of the Archdiocesan Commission on Communications, the awards aim not only to honor outstanding media work but also to form communicators who will become genuine influencers of truth, compassion, and ethical storytelling in society. Entries are evaluated based on Content (50%), Style (25%), and Social Impact (25%), ensuring that all submissions embody fairness, relevance, accuracy, and meaningful contribution to the community.

The Archbishop Thibault Media Awards 2026 was held last May 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Ateneo de Davao University under the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.” Organized by the Social Communications Ministry of the Archdiocese of Davao, the program included welcome remarks of Fr. Karel San Juan and delivered by Fr. Tony Basilio, the rationale by Fr. Ritsche Gamaya, and the keynote address of Archbishop Rex Alarcon. The ceremony also featured an inspirational message from Fr. Francis Lucas, awarding ceremonies, recognition of partners, and the conferment of the Archbishop Clovis Thibault Special Awards to Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., and Most Rev. Guillermo Afable, D.D., before concluding with the closing remarks of Archbishop Valles.