By FR. JOSELITO I. JOPSON, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, CBCP ECSCRome – As early as January 24, 2018, the Holy Father Pope Francis released his message for the 52nd World Communications Day scheduled to be celebrated on Ascension Sunday, May 13, 2108.
Dubbed with the theme “The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32), Fake news and journalism for peace”, the Holy Father gives us ample time to reflect on what we can do to preserve the integrity of journalism which is slowly being corrupted by fake news.
The Holy Father saw the need to clarify communication as an essential way of experiencing fellowship. Unfortunately, because of pride and selfishness, we distort our ability to communicate.
This results in fake news.
First, what is fake news?
According to the Holy Father, “Spreading fake news can serve to advance specific goals, influence political decisions and serve economic interests” under the guise of real news.
It is also difficult to eliminate it because people interact to it in differing perspectives and opinions; there’s an absence of healthy confrontation with sources and challenges prejudice and constructive dialogue. It turns people into unwilling accomplices in spreading biased and baseless ideas.
To recognize it is no easy task. There has to be educational programmes to help people interpret and assess information. But we need to discern the authenticity of the news.
How to discern fake news
First, we have to unmask the snake tactics of the crafty serpent of the Book of Genesis (cf. Gen: 3: 1 – 15). “The strategy of this skilled "Father of Lies" (Jn 8:44) is precisely mimicry, that sly and dangerous form of seduction that worms its way into the heart with false and alluring arguments,” exposed the Holy Father.
Second, we have to uncover the false concern of the tempter pretending to be a friend with good intentions, and the guise of truth for its appearance.
Third, we need to release the real intention of the fake news: greed.
Counteracting fake news
Noting Dotovsky’s observation: “People who lie to themselves and listen to their own lie come to such a pass that they cannot distinguish the truth within them, or around them, and so lose all respect for themselves and others” (The Brothers Karamazov, II, 2), our solution then is to adhere to the truth. Truth is something we can lean on, so as not to fall.
Second, if words are to be true, authentic and trustworthy, we need to discern everything that encourages communion and promotes goodness from whatever instead tends to isolate, divide, and oppose.
Third, peace is the true news.
“The best antidotes to falsehoods are not strategies, but people: people who are not greedy but ready to listen, people who make the effort to engage in sincere dialogue so that the truth can emerge; people who are attracted by goodness and take responsibility for how they use language,” explained the Holy Father.
Responsibility rests on the journalists, the protectors of news. These know that the heart of the information is not speed but persons.
Journalism for peace
The Holy Father encourages promoting the journalism of peace which Pope Paul VI also promoted as early as 1972 as a way to rediscover the dignity of journalism and the solemn responsibility of journalists to communicate the truth.
It is journalism that is truthful, created by people for people, and one at the service of all – especially for those who have no voice, “a journalism less concentrated on breaking news than on exploring the underlying causes of conflicts, in order to promote deeper understanding and contribute to their resolution by setting in place virtuous processes; a journalism committed to pointing out alternatives to the escalation of shouting matches and verbal violence.”
From the prayer of St. Francis, the Holy Father turns to the Truth in person: to be instruments of peace in a kind of communication that does not build communion; to remove the venom from our judgment; to speak about others as brothers and sisters; to be seeds of goodness for the world; to
listen, inspire harmony, bring clarity, solidarity, sobriety, to raise real questions, to awaken trust, and bring respect and truth.
