THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL TEACHING

with regard to

THE MEDIA OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

*Following on the model of the Church as Communion,

and leading into the Priorities of the Laity.

THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL TEACHING

ONTHE MASS MEDIA

USE OF MASS MEDIA

Principles addressed to all

Responsibility of all

PRINCIPLES

relevant in other fields

always applicable

PRINCIPLES

basic to all: social teaching

areas of activity

MASS MEDIA

not condemned products of genius gifts of God positive signs of the times

PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

These principles have been extracted from two documents:

Communio et Progressio (CP), Pastoral Instruction, 23 May 1971.

and Ethics in Communications (EC), Pontifical Council for Social Communications, 2 June

2000

These Principles have been derived from:

WORD OF GOD NATURE OF THE CHURCH NATURE OF THE MEDIA POTENTIAL OF THE MEDIA SOCIAL ETHICS EFFECTS OF THE MEDIA ON CIVIL SOCIETY

THE WORD OF GOD. 1. The communion between the

three divine Persons is the source of unity and brotherhood.

2. God took the initiative to communicate himself to us.

3. Communication is the giving of self in love.

4. God the Son is the perfect communicator through his Incarnation.

THE WORD OF GOD 5. Jesus Christ shared the truth

and life of God with all.

6. The Eucharist is the most intimate form of communion possible.

7. Jesus Christ communicated the Holy Spirit who brings all together in unity.

8. Communication is a moral act.

THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH.

1. The Church, as the People of God, promotes unity.

2. Upholds the dignity and rights of the person.

3. Fosters the solidarity of the human community.

THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH

. 4. Has a mission to the various fields of human endeavour.

5. Seeks dialogue and collaboration.

THE NATURE OF THE MEDIA

1. Gifts of God to unite people and help them cooperate in God's plan of salvation.

2. Effective means for cultivating charity among people.

3. Beneficial in promoting understanding and sympathy.

THE POTENTIAL OF THE MEDIA

1. Encourage social relations.

2. Contribute to unity, brotherhood and the advancement of people.

THE POTENTIAL OF THE MEDIA

3. Improve the conditions of human living.

4. Cooperate in God's work of creation and conservation.

SOCIAL ETHICS

1. Communication must be truthful.

2. Media news, culture and entertainment to meet the needs of society.

3. Related to structural and systemic social issues.

SOCIAL ETHICS

4. The person and the community are the measure of the use of the media.

5. Economic and political implications.

6. The media must develop the person fully.

THE EFFECTS OF THE MEDIA ON CIVIL SOCIETY

1. Indispensable for the functioning of modern society.

2. Help share knowledge and unify our creative work in building the earthly city.

THE EFFECTS OF THE MEDIA ON CIVIL SOCIETY

3. Multiply contacts within society and deepen social consciousness.

*

THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

OF CHRISTIANS

DUTIES 1. Work together to ensure that the media contribute to the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God.

2. Exercise free choice in the use of the media.

* RESPONSIBILITIES 3. Judge the media by the contribution they make to the common good.

4. Develop a proper understanding of man and our dignity as members of the family of adopted children of God.

COMMUNICATORS 1. Come to understand their vocation and mission.

2. Conscience-bound to make themselves competent.

3. Comply with requirements of sincerity, honesty and truthfulness.

RECIPIENTS

1. Learn how to interpret the messages of the media accurately.

2. Benefit from them and contribute to life in society.

RECIPIENTS

3. Reflection, discussion and dialogue are needed.

4. Jesus is the model and the standard of our communicating.