A media training workshop organised for members of the Australian Tamil Sangam turned into a lively discussion on artificial intelligence, social media and telling stories in today’s world, as young participants peppered The Indian Sun journalist Indira Laisram with questions about how things work now.
The workshop was held on Sunday as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations organised by the Australian Tamil Sangam, a not-for-profit organisation whose core mission is to support, promote and preserve Tamil culture, language and wellbeing among Tamil Australians and the wider community. The event brought together women, families and community members for a day of appreciation and connection, celebrating the strength and achievements of Tamil women.
The workshop, led by Laisram aimed to help community organisations better understand how to communicate with the media. It covered topics ranging from identifying stories and writing press releases to the role of social media in shaping public narratives.
But it was the interactive question-and-answer segment that truly energised the room.
Several young attendees raised thoughtful questions about the role of AI in writing, the reliability of online information, and whether social media restrictions limit young voices.
Responding to concerns about AI replacing human creativity, Laisram said that while tools like ChatGPT can assist writers, they cannot replace human storytelling.
“AI can help you proofread or check grammar, but it cannot interview people, sit in a room and feel the emotions of a story,” she said. “Your strength as a writer is your connection with people, not perfect syntax.”
She cautioned students against relying too heavily on AI in school assignments.
“If you depend entirely on AI, you stop thinking for yourself,” she said. “Use it as a tool, not as a replacement for your own voice.”
One participant asked how young people could share their ideas publicly if they were restricted from using social media platforms.
Laisram encouraged them to explore alternative outlets such as school publications, debates and independent writing platforms.
“There are always other avenues to express your ideas,” she said. “School magazines, debates, or even starting your own blog can be powerful ways to share your thoughts.”
The conversation also touched on misinformation and the challenge of identifying trustworthy sources in an increasingly polarised media environment.
Laisram advised participants to read widely and consider multiple perspectives.
“My approach is to look at both sides and weigh the arguments,” she said. “At the end of the day, you have to use your own judgement.”
Throughout the workshop, Laisram stressed the importance of storytelling for community organisations, noting that many important community stories often remain untold.
She encouraged Tamil Sangam members to document and share the achievements and journeys within their community. “Often the event itself is not the story,” she said. “The real story is the people behind the event.”
Participants were also encouraged to build small communications teams within their organisations to document activities, take photographs and send press releases to media outlets.
“Communication is every organisation’s superpower,” Laisram said. “The more you tell your stories, the more visible your community becomes.”
The training was delivered under The Indian Sun’s media training initiative, which was supported by the Victorian Government last year to help multicultural community organisations build media and communication skills. Although the funded program has since concluded, the session for the Australian Tamil Sangam was conducted after the organisation approached The Indian Sun requesting the workshop.
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