Theme for World Communications Day 2008: “The media: at the Crossroads between activism and service. Seeking the Truth in order to share it with others”
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The
media: at the Crossroads between
activism and service. Seeking the Truth in order to share it with
others", is the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the 42nd World
Communications Day. In a communique released today Archbishop Claudio
Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social
Communications, writes that such a theme "calls on us to reflect on the role played by the media and especially the increasing risk of their
becoming self-absorbed and no longer tools at the service of truth -
something which is meant to be sought and shared." The Pontifical
Council for Social Communications, prepares study documentation and a
liturgical support on the theme to be distributed to Bishops'
Conferences and international Catholic media organisations.
In many countries, World Communications Day, the only world day
established by Vatican II (Inter Mirifica, 1963) - says the communique
issued by the Holy See Press Office, is celebrated as suggested by
Bishops all over the world, on the Sunday before Pentecost, 4 May in
2008. The Pope's Message for World Communications Day is traditionally
made public on 24 January, the feast of St Francis de Sales, patron
saint of journalists.
"Seeking the Truth in order to share it with others" is not exactly the first thing I think of when I think about modern journalism. Though it is the first thing we should think of for anybody involved in any forms of communication.
Known as 
"the increasing risk of their becoming self-absorbed and no longer tools at the service of truth...."
Without wanting to appear cynical, it's a fairy tale that the media, which was just once comprised of the press alone, was anything more than a vehicle for propaganda of one sort or another. I don't know exactly where the myth of past objectivism on the part of the press or electronic media arose, but it is just that--a myth.
That does not negate some fine exceptions of men (and women) who strove to reach the truth in things earthly. And some propagandists who wrote on the side of angels; but much of what passes as news is filtered through the minds of weak, impressionable, and often not very bright people. And devoured by like kin.
The theme is interesting. Media at the cross roads between activism and service. If the media -print or electrnic - play a proactive role in highlighting various social problems with possible suggestions, then it would be held in high regard and esteem. On the otherhand, if it is biased, slanted its credibility would be lost. Bergson, one of the greatest development economists, says that the highest goal is ensuring the greatest good of the largest number of people in any society. Towards that democratically elected governments should strive. The role of the media is one of a change agent in bringing about that kind of social reformation. If it does so, then the media spontaneously command people's respect.