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 ON THE MASS MEDIA

USE OF MASS MEDIA  Principles addressed to all  Responsibility of all

PRINCIPLES  r r r relevant in other fields  a a a always applicable

PRINCIPLES basic to all:  s s s social teaching  a a a 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 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 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 communityare 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 * 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.