In this era of information technology, the possibility of communicating quickly and effectively to any part of the globe has never been greater. And yet, we are also aware of the fact that these modern instruments of communication can alienate us and draw us away from the truth if not used responsibly.
The Holy Father in his message for the 33rd World Communications Day speaks of media as a “friendly companion for those in search of the Father.” He expounds on the relationship between the Church and media and how these two institutions can work side by side, complementing one another to help bring people closer to the truth. He emphasizes the role media can play in becoming an instrument, and to be more precise, a friendly guide “to those searching for God’s loving presence in their lives.”
Perhaps the cynics among us will ask how can media be a friendly guide to us when all we encounter in media are bold movies, gossip and scandal, television “infotainment”, bloody videos, news of crime and violence? These realities all the more hit us right between the eyes when we learn of war freak personalities and sex offenders among our youth today whose attitudes apparently are influenced by the negative use of media.
Here we see the need for a closer cooperation between Church and media for both to be able to serve better the people of our time. The Holy Father speaks on how the Church’s culture can complement the media culture and vice versa. He beautifully summarizes this point by saying: “The Church’s culture of remembrance can save the media culture of transitory “news” from becoming a forgetfulness which corrodes hope; and the media can help the Church to proclaim the Gospel in all its enduring freshness in the everyday reality of people’s lives. The Church’s culture of wisdom can save the media culture of information from becoming a meaningless accumulation of facts, and the media can help the Church’s wisdom to remain alert to the array of new knowledge now emerging. The Church’s culture of joy can save the media culture of entertainment from becoming a soulless fight from truth and responsibility; and the media can help the Church to understand better how to communicate with people in a way that appeals and even delights.”
Today’s contemporary culture is enmeshed in the transitory allurements of media. The promise of youth, of instant gratification, of power and money are among the many “come-ons” media offer us. However, the media have also a great responsibility to witness to the truth, to speak about freedom and justice and to uphold human dignity. In this it can truly be a friendly companion to all of us in our search for meaning and truth as we journey together going back to the Father.
No comments:
Post a Comment