Media can foster greater unity or create divisions and conflict
At the end of 2004, a very encouraging experience showing the efficacy of the mass media took place when a great mobilization of solidarity came about in favor of the tsunami victims of Asia. The late Holy Father John Paul II noted in his message for the World Communications Day, 2005: "It was hearteningn to see how quickly the international community responded to the recent tsunami that claimed countless victims. The speed with which news travels today naturally increases the possibility for timely practical measures designed to offer maximum assistance. In this way, the media can achieve an immense amount of good."
This dynamism in communications showed the coming together of timely information with a personal and social commitment and generous response.
In another development, over the recent past months, we have seen some extraordinary sights in and around St. Peter's Square, Vatican. We witnessed the vigils for the dying pope, and marveled at the millions who came to say farewell. There was the solemn splendor of a papal funeral, and the excitement of the white smoke that greeted the election of his successor.
Without doubt, it was the largest audience that followed a most significant event in the history of the world. In other words, people around the world witnessed and understood what the Catholic Church is all about and how powerful and influential her moral leadership role is in the world regardless of faith or ideological systems.
During the celebration of the World Communications at Radio Veritas Asia last May 5, our invited guest speaker, Rev. Fr. Franz-Josef Eilers, SVD, recalled the two foregoing events that had taken place. Fr. Eilers at this point noted the importance given to social communications by our Church leaders. He stated that the last Apostolic letter of the late Pope John Paul II was about communications while the first public audience of the newly elected Pope Benedict XVI was hel with 4,000 journalists coming from all parts of the world.
The theme of the 39th World Communications Day for the year 2005 is "The Communications Media: At the Service of Understanding Among Peoples." In a message that has been prepared before his demise, Pope John Paul II stressed that the media have enormous potential in promoting peace and building bridges between peoples, breaking the fatal cycle of violence that is so widespread today. In the document, Pope John Paul II underscored the capacity of media to teach billions of people about other parts of the world and other cultures and emphasized that accurate knowledge promotes understanding, dispels prejudice and awakens the desire to learn more.
Further, Pope John Paul II reminded us that not only our actions have consequences. Our words and other forms of communications also have impact. Communicators must pay attention to their choice of words, the way people are referred to. Responsible media can foster greater unity or at worse, create divisions and conflict. As Pope John Paul II has written: "When others are portrayed in hostile terms, seeds of conflict are sown which can all too easily escalate into violence, war or genocide. Therefore, this message compels us to confront what could lead to an irresponsible use of the instruments of the communications media, so powerful in influencing the human spirit."
Pope John Paul II, even in his death, reminds us constantly that the greatest example of communication is Jesus Christ for He is our PEACE, He who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through His flesh. (Eph. 2:4)
To all the vineyard workers in RVA, the challenge remains to be a call for a strong professional background in the media coupled with an equally strong interior life.
"To be human is to go in search; and all human searching is in the end a search for God whO is PEACE." (Fides et Ratio)
by: Rev. Fr. Gabriel Htun Myint
Radio Veritas Asia - Uplink Newsletter
- Forwarded by www.goa-world.com
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