For the Pontiff, this kind of news needs to be avoided because it only leads to the “spread of arrogance and hatred.”
“Fake news” is the theme of Pope Francis’s latest message.
The leader of the Roman Catholic church is warning everyone, journalists, and the public, to avoid “fake news” and focus peace as it is the true news.
CNN reports that Pope Francis is condemning “fake news,” because it’s a “sign of intolerant and hypersensitive attitudes, and leads only to the spread of arrogance and hatred.”
During his message, the Pontiff likened this kind of news to the “crafty serpent” who lied to Eve in Genesis. According to him, this tragedy was the first “fake news.”
He also described “fake news” as “the spreading of disinformation online or in the traditional media.”
“Spreading fake news can serve to advance specific goals, influence political decisions and serve economic interests,” the Pope added.
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How to avoid fake news
During his speech, Pope Francis highlighted the danger of fake news.
The message read: “Disinformation thus thrives on the absence of healthy confrontation with other sources of information that could effectively challenge prejudices and generate constructive dialogue; instead, it risks turning people into unwilling accomplices in spreading biased and baseless ideas.”
This is why the Pope is calling on journalists, the real ones who seek to combat this trend by spreading the truth.
According to the Pontiff, journalists are the protectors of news. He added that journalism should be “truthful and opposed to falsehoods, rhetorical slogans, and sensational headlines.”
Pope Francis’ message says this year’s World Day of Communication has been dedicated to “‘The truth will set you free’. Fake news and journalism for peace.”
“I would like to contribute to our shared commitment to stemming the spread of fake news and to rediscovering the dignity of journalism and the personal responsibility of journalists to communicate the truth.
“Praiseworthy efforts are being made to create educational programs aimed at helping people to interpret and assess the information provided by the media, and teaching them to take an active part in unmasking falsehoods, rather than unwittingly contributing to the spread of disinformation.”
History of World Communications Day
The first World Communication day was observed in 1967. Since then, the pope always releases a message that is published on January 24 of every year.
This day is also the day of the feast of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists.