We thank Fr. Ambrose Pereira for a timely reminder of the role of media as the world searches for a particularly elusive peace. The Pope's Message for World Communications Day follows the write-up of a meeting in Honiara.'
Media at the Service of Authentic Peace
- Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb
World Communications Day 2003, is to be celebrated on 1st June 2003 and has as its theme Media at the Service of Authentic Peace. The message of Pope John Paul II released on 24thJanuary, Feast of St. Francis de Sales has several points for reflection and action for media personnel and those responsible for communications.
Catholic Communications Solomons organized a short media meeting to reflect and share on the Holy Fathers message as well as evaluate the different programmes that they are involved in. The meeting was held on 1st March, 2003, at Don Bosco Henderson and was attended by Fr. Jack Harris cm, professor at Holy Name of Mary Seminary; Sr. Margaret Tisch smsm, deputy principal Bishop Epalle School; Dr. John Roughan, SIDT advisor; Claudius Horiwapu and Moodie Nanao SIBC personnel, Charles Kadamana, Solomon star, Br. Henri Ugini fms, Laumanasa; Edna Rivero, Don Bosco; Joe Vidiki, Georgiana Sogoteé and Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb, Catholic Communications personnel.
Discussions centered around the four areas of: truth, justice, charity and freedom. There were suggestions and possibilities put forward. It was felt that in the current situation there are limits and constraints on expressing the truth. “Opinions and rumours are constantly being passed around, but there needs to be a balance in reporting” stated Dr. John Roughan. Fr. Jack Harris expressed his frustration at the lack of follow-up to stories. He also suggested a trained media personnel could approach persons and interview them on issues and happenings. Claudius Horiwapu mentioned the different programmes of the past involved people at grass root levels. “These programmes have been stopped due to lack of funds”, he said. Moodie Nanao highlighted the fact that a two-way communication is most necessary if the message is to reach the people. Charles Kadamana voicing the sentiments of the others was happy that there are church items in the paper. “Education”, stated Fr. Ambrose, “gives persons a broader understanding of events and happenings and the relationship between them. It is only with a broad base that we can grow and develop”. Joe Vidiki and Georgiana were praised for involving persons and producing programmes that inspire persons live good lives. Media Education and other long term initatives were also discussed.
“Catholic Communications has been able to run its many programmes due to the cooperation of people at various levels. Thanks to our bishops, priests, animators in the parishes, personnel at Solomon Star and SIBC, the many benefactors, volunteers and all those who believe in the media,” said Fr. Ambrose Pereira sdb, Director Catholic Communications as he brought the meeting to a close. A delicious meal followed.
World Communications Day 2003
Media at the Service of Authentic Peace
Celebrated on 1st June 2003
Message of the Holy Father Pope John Paul II
Introduction: Truth, justice, charity and freedom are the pillars of a peaceful society pointed out Blessed Pope John XXIII’s Encyclical Letter "Pacem in terris", forty years ago. Peace, justice, and social stability are still lacking in many parts of the world. Terrorism, conflict in the Middle East and other regions, threats and counter-threats, injustice, exploitation, and assaults upon the dignity and sanctity of human life, both before and after birth, are dismaying realities of our times.
The power of the media to shape human relationships and influence political and social life, both for good and for ill, has increased. Hence the theme: "The Communications Media at the Service of Authentic Peace in the Light of 'Pacem in terris.”
Media and Truth: is the fundamental moral requirement of all communication is respect for and service of the truth. Freedom to seek and speak what is true - facts and information and the nature and destiny of the human person - regarding society, the common good, and the relationship with God.
The media often renders courageous service to the truth; but sometimes they function as agents of propaganda and disinformation - narrow interests, national, ethnic, racial, religious prejudices, material greed, and false ideologies of various kinds. Media personnel have to resist these pressures, but also by Church and other concerned groups.
Media and Justice: The universal human good - "the good, that is, of the whole human family"- in which every individual and all peoples have a right to share.
Media carries with it special responsibilities. It often belong to particular interest groups, private and public, the very nature of their impact on life requires that they must not serve to set one group against another - class conflict, exaggerated nationalism, racial supremacy, ethnic cleansing, and the like. Setting some against others in the name of religion is a failure against truth and justice, as these belong to the deepest realm of the human person's dignity and freedom.
It is the task of the media to accurately report events, explain issues and diverse points of view, so that grievances and divisions can be understood and healed.
Media and Freedom: Freedom is a precondition of true peace and one of its most precious fruits. The media serve freedom by serving truth: they obstruct freedom when they depart from what is true by publishing falsehoods or creating a climate of unsound emotional reaction to events. When people have free access to true and sufficient information can they pursue the common good and hold public authority accountable.
The media enjoys a privileged status. Reporters and commentators in particular have a grave duty to follow the demands of their moral conscience and to resist pressures to "adapt" the truth to satisfy the demands of wealth or political power.
Ways must be found to give the weaker sectors of society access to the information which they need for their individual and social development, and ensure that they are not excluded from having an effective and responsible role in deciding media content and determining the structures and policies of social communications.
Media and Love: "The anger of man does not work the righteousness of God" (James 1:20). True peace among nations must depend not on the possession of an equal supply of weapons, but solely upon mutual trust" ("Pacem in terris," 113).
The communications media have an immense role to play in building trust. They can create the positive or negative public reaction to events, which suits their purposes. This enormous power calls for the highest standards of commitment to truth and goodness. Thus, men and women of the media are especially bound to contribute to peace in all parts of the world by breaking down the barriers of mistrust, fostering the point of view of others, and striving always to bring peoples and nations together in mutual understanding and respect - to reconciliation and mercy!
As men and women of the media we are challenged by vocation as well as by profession to be agents of truth, justice, freedom, and love, contributing by their important work to a social order "founded on truth, built up on justice, nurtured and animated by charity, and brought into effect under the auspices of freedom" ("Pacem in terris," 167).
That the men and women of the media will live up to the challenge of their calling in service of the universal common good. Our personal fulfillment, the peace and happiness of the world depends on this.
From the Vatican, 24 January 2003, the Feast of Saint Francis de Sales
IOANNES PAULUS II
