Let us communicate the truth

Every Sunday before the Pentecost, the Catholic Church celebrates World Communication Sunday as an annual celebration to encourage the Church to utilize social communication (the press, motion pictures, radio, television and the internet) in spreading the gospel message.

When Pope Paul VI established the first World Communications Day in 1967, it was to draw attention to the communications media and the enormous power the mass media have at their disposal. Even the successors of Pope Paul VI have consistently recognised the positive opportunities the mass media afford for enriching human lives with the values of truth, beauty and goodness. On the other hand they have also recognised the negative opportunities the mass media can effect on spreading less noble values.

Recognizing the influence of mass media, the Church through the social communication ministry continue its grip on the media to proclaim the values which the Church see are beneficial for human development and for the eternal welfare of people especially the younger generation who is growing up in a world conditioned by the mass media and the social media.

Today, as the Church marks the 51st World Communications Sunday, the Church is challenged to fight against the spread of fake news. The message of Pope Francis for world communications day centers on fake news. He calls on those working in mass media and those active in social media to rediscover the dignity of journalism and also to rediscover the personal responsibility of journalists to communicate the truth.