Pope Francis has called on journalists to be "communicators of hope" in a world " characterized by disinformation and polarization," the Christian Today website reports today (Jan. 26, 2025).
In a special message, issued in eight languages this week, Pope Francis urged all those involved in communications "to focus on beauty and hope even in the midst of apparently desperate situations" and to work to generate "commitment, empathy, and concern for others."
He said: "Too often today, communication generates not hope, but fear and despair, prejudice and resentment., fanaticism, and even hatred. All too often it simplifies reality to provoke instinctive reactions;It uses words like a razor; It even uses false or distorted information to send messages designed to agitate, provoke, or hurt."
The pope said that communications needed to be "disarmed" and "purified of agressiveness." He added "All of us see how -- from television talk shows to verbal attacks on social media -- there is a risk that the paradigm of competition, opposition, the will to dominate and possess, and the manipulation of public opinion will prevail."
Pope Francis said to journalists and commuicators, "In these times, characterized by disinformation and polarization, as a few cenrters of power control an unprecedented mass of data and information, I would like to speak to you as one who is well aware of the importance -- now more than ever -- of your work as journalists and communicators."
He added, "Be meek and never forget the faces of other people: speak to the hearts of women and men when you serve in carrying out your work. Do not allow instinctive reactions to guide your communication. Always spread hope, even when it is difficult, even when it costs, even when it seems to bear fruit, and try to promote a communication that can heal the wounds of our humanity."
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