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"To
encourage both a constructive presence and a positive perception of the
media in society, I wish to reiterate the importance of three steps necessary
for their service of the common good: formation, participation, and dialogue.
Formation in the responsible and critical use of the media helps
people to use them intelligently and appropriately. Precisely because
contemporary media shape popular culture, they themselves must overcome
any temptation to manipulate, especially the young, and instead pursue
the desire to form and serve. In this way they protect rather than erode
the fabric of a civil society worthy of the human person.
Participation in the mass media arises from their nature as a good
destined for all people. As a public service, social communication requires
a spirit of cooperation and co-responsibility with vigorous accountability
of the use of public resources and the performance of roles of public
trust.
The promotion of dialogue through the exchange of learning, the
expression of solidarity and the espousal of peace presents a great opportunity
for the mass media to become influential and appreciated resources for
building the civilization of love for which all peoples yearn.
I am confident that serious efforts to promote these three steps will
assist the media to develop soundly as a network of communication,
communion and cooperation, helping men, women and children, to become
more aware of the dignity of the human person, more responsible, and more
open to others especially the neediest and the weakest members of society."
-
Pope Benedict XVI
Full
version available at: http://www.vatican.va/latest/latest_en.htm
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