1. ARTICLE 26 Role of the Media

2. Truth and Media Catholic Social Teaching calls on the media to be honest in communicating the truth. Does this always happen today? Examples? What about cable news? Propaganda (misinformation) can be a way the media can be used to sway public opinion.

3. Purpose of Media The media, like all other social institutions, should be about promoting the common good. When it is fulfilling its purpose, the media provides the information we need to make good moral choices by helping us to consider the personal and social consequences of our choices.

4. Purpose - continued The media also provides a public forum where solutions to complex problems can be discussed in open and honest dialogue. More than just providing information, the media should also motivate and encourage the public to fulfill its social responsibilities. Does the media seem to still do these things or does it seem there is a different purpose at hand?

5. Challenges to Media Responsibility There are several impediments that affect the media’s ability to provide accurate and unbiased information. Among them are: Media sources not being able to act freely or are controlled by a monopoly. These situations pressure media to give biased information. Who owns the major media outlets? ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, MSNBC?

6. Challenges - continued Financial concerns can cause media to cover stories based on what will generate more viewer interest and more advertising money. This can also lead to bias. Think about missing persons stories that capture the public’s attention. Why that particular person? Covering the “sensational” story can lead to Calumny (ruining someone’s reputation through lies and rumors) and Detraction (unnecessarily revealing something about someone that is true but harmful to their reputation).

7. Using Media Critically Become informed about important social concerns in your community and the world. Seek out sources of information that try to be accurate and unbiased. Study issues from different perspectives. Check out multiple sources, listen to different people, and pray. Seek out information sources devoted to social justice concerns.