CAINTA, RIZAL – Today, in celebration of the ascension of our Lord into heaven, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates the World Communications Sunday; for this year’s celebration, the Holy Father promotes the theme “The truth will set you free (Jn 8:32). Fake news and journalism for peace.”
"Communication is a part of God’s plan for us, and is an essential way to experience fellowship. Made in the image and likeness of our Creator, we are able to express and share all that is true, good, and beautiful." – Pope Francis
In celebration of the feast of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists, last January 24, 2018, the Holy Father called out the importance of truth in today’s age of fake news. In his message, he emphasized on how we can recognize these things called “fake news” and how it rapidly spreads through digital communication systems.
"The truth will set you free" (Jn 8:32)
The pope believes that peace is the true news; to be free from the falsehoods of misinformation that provokes quarrels and problems in the society. The continuous propagation of deceptive information can lead to the devastation of one’s peace. Everyone is responsible for the dissemination of the truth that can set us free from false beliefs.
"The best antidotes to falsehoods are not strategies, but people: people who are not greedy, but ready to listen; people who make the effort to engage in sincere dialogue so that the truth can emerge; people who are attracted by goodness and take responsibility for how they use language", Pope Francis added.
Journalism of peace
The pope calls to promote a journalism of peace in this message:
“I would like, then, to invite everyone to promote a journalism of peace. By that, I do not mean the saccharine kind of journalism that refuses to acknowledge the existence of serious problems or smacks of sentimentalism. On the contrary, I mean a journalism that is truthful and opposed to falsehoods, rhetorical slogans, and sensational headlines. A journalism created by people for people, one that is at the service of all, especially those – and they are the majority in our world – who have no voice. A journalism less concentrated on breaking news than on exploring the underlying causes of conflicts, in order to promote deeper understanding and contribute to their resolution by setting in place virtuous processes. A journalism committed to pointing out alternatives to the escalation of shouting matches and verbal violence.”
Protectors of peace
The Holy Father distinguished journalists as protector of news because they are responsible for touching the lives of the people by informing them.
“The importance of ensuring the accuracy of sources and protecting communication are real means of promoting goodness, generating trust, and opening the way to communion and peace.” as said by Pope Francis.
Regina Lucis Newsletter, the Official Student Publication of Cainta Catholic College, aims to connect CCCians and serve the student community with responsible and passionate journalism. It is an honor to become instruments and protectors of peace.
Lastly, welcome to the official website of Regina Lucis! May this platform raise up advocacy to share what is right and just. Happy World Communications Sunday!
Dwight Fernandez | Regina Lucis High School
Retrieved May 2, 2018 from:
https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/communications/documents/papa-francesco_20180124_messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali.html
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