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3.
COOPERATION BETWEEN:
a) Citizens and the Civil Authorities
84. The media are there for
the good of everyone and to serve everyone. So, at once, they concern both
citizens and public authorities These authorities have the essential duty of
maintaining freedom of speech and of seeing that the right conditions exist for
it Every individual must have the chance of following his informed judgement.
Human dignity must be fully respected. The good of the country and the
interests of international cooperation must both be given due consideration.
85. The well-being of society
requires absolutely that individuals and groups be free to exercise initiative.
It also requires that citizens exercise responsibility and self-control both as
communicators and as recipients. With this end in view, voluntary associations
may not only be desirable, they may even be essential.
86. The role of the civil
authorities in this matter is essentially a positive one. Their chief task is
not to create difficulties or to suppress, though, at times, corrective
measures may become necessary. The Second Vatican Council explained that man's
freedom is to be respected as far as possible, and curtailed only when and in
so far as necessary. 47 Censorship therefore should only be used in the
very last extremity. Moreover the civil authorities should respect the
principle of subsidiarity which has often been affirmed in the official
teaching of the Church the gist of which is: "Let them not undertake to do
themselves what can be done just as well, or even better, by individuals or
private groups".
87. Therefore it is right
that, in the light of these principles, freedom of communication and the right
to be informed be established in law and guarded from excessive economic,
political and ideological pressures that might weaken them. There should be
legislation to guarantee to citizens the right to criticise the actual working
of the communications media. This is particularly desirable where the media are
conducted as a monopoly. This is all the more necessary if the monopoly is
exercised by the civil authorities themselves.It is undoubtedly the task of the
lawmakers to legislate about the media. In fact the media must have the support
of law so that they can survive, and survive in a sufficient variety and
independence in the face of the encroachment of economic interests that make
for harmful concentration. Again, the good name of the private citizen and of
minority groups needs the protection of the law. Cultural and human values
require protection. Religious liberty in the use of the media should be
guaranteed.
88. It is highly recommended
that professionals in the media or their institutions set up councils on their
own account. These will have their own statutes and will be concerned with all
aspects of social communication. Representatives of the different sections of
the populations should be invited to sit on these councils. This, it is hoped,
will eliminate the wrong sort of interference from state or economic interests.
It will strengthen cooperation and fellow feeling between communicators and
that will be to the benefit of the whole community. In some cases, however, the
state may have to intervene in order to set up these advisory boards to
supervise the media. In these cases, the boards should be, by law, representative
of all shades of opinion within the community.
89. As far as possible, the
law should protect the young from what can do them permanent psychological or
moral harm. It is the task of legislation in this field to give the necessary
support to the family and the school in the task of educating the young.
90. Legislation should be
encouraged to provide financial support to initiatives in the use of
communications that clearly serve the general good. These would include organizations
that provide information, specialist educational publications, films and
broadcasts, particularly when these are made for children. This support is more
desirable when the initiatives have little hope of financial success. This
encouragement also applies to feature films of high artistic quality and to
publications and performances which are destined for a restricted public and
which are therefore unlikely to pay their way.
91. The responsibility of
civil authorities over the means of social communication now covers the world,
for they have to guarantee the development of social communication for the good
of all mankind, and this without selection or discrimination. This development
can be secured by the use of international agreements including those that
touch on the use of space satellites. In this way, all nations will be
guaranteed a fair place within the dialogue and interplay of mankind.
b) Nations
92. Those forms of aid which
emerging nations need to develop their own means of social communication are of
great importance among the many forms of international effort which the media
demand. The lack of proper means of social communication is, in fact, a sign of
slow development in a community, as well as being one of the causes of it.
Without the use of modern techniques of social communication no country can
provide its citizens with necessary information or proper education. This
inability endangers political, social and economic progress.
93. "Progress",
said Pope Paul VI, "is the new term for peace". 48 Countries
that are well equipped should provide technical assistance to those which are
not. This is as true in the field of social communication as in any other. The developed
countries are to help in the training of professionals and provide the
necessary equipment. Their responsibilities for the common good do not end at
their national frontiers. They extend to the whole of mankind. This requirement
is all the more pressing now that developments in the field are progressing so
swiftly. Developing countries should be helped with training centres for social
communication set up within their own boundaries. Otherwise the trainees may be
forced wastefully to leave their own country. Such centres will prevent a
"brain drain" from the developing countries.
94. It goes without saying
that the aid given to developing countries can never be at the expense of their
own cherished traditions, of their culture and art forms, for these are rich in
human significance. Cultural cooperation is not the giving of alms. It is an
exchange that is mutually advantageous.
95. In developing countries,
particularly in those where illiteracy hinders progress, audiovisual means are
very effective in spreading knowledge. These means can help to improve
agriculture, industry, commerce, hygiene and public health. They can serve to
develop the individual's personality, to strengthen family life, social
relations and civic responsibility. It is virtually impossible to do such works
at a profit. It is therefore necessary to appeal to the generosity of private
citizens and of private organizations in the richer countries as well as to the
support of international bodies.
c) All Christians, all believers and all
Men of Good Will
96. The means of social
communication are not likely to achieve their purpose - which is actively to
further human progress - unless they face the formidable problems that beset
modern man and strengthen his hopes and lead to a concerted effort on the part
of all who believe in the living God. This is especially true in the case of
those who are united in the sacrament of Baptism. So teaches the Second Council
in the documents on Ecumenism and non-Christian Religions. 49
97. As a result of the work
of the communications media, Christians are better able to understand the state
of contemporary world society, a society which is frequently alienated from
God. Dramatists and journalists describe this alienation in significant terms
asserting human liberty with all the force of their genius and with all the
depth of their thought. Their creative power and descriptive skill have our
admiration and gratitude. 50
98. When their faith gives
them real inspiration, people of different religions can render notable service
to social communications. This will do more than further human progress both
social and cultural. It can under Divine Providence institute a universal
dialogue on the highest level that can lead man to cherish and foster in his
daily life his common brotherhood under the One Eternal God, the Father of All.
99. There is almost no end to
the opportunities for such collaboration. Some are obvious: joint programmes on
radio and television; educational projects and services especially for parents
and young people; meetings and discussions between professionals that may be on
an international level; recognition of achievement in these fields by annual
awards; cooperation in research in the media, especially in professional
training and education. All these can help towards the fair and equal
advancement of all peoples.
100. To make practical the
possibilities that are inherent in the media there should be a joint programme
of action. Resources will have to be made available for this. As a practical
step the Vatican Council suggested the establishment of World Communications
Day. Every man who believes in God is invited to spend one particular day every
year to pray and think about the future and the problems of the media. They are
also invited to friendly meetings with the different sorts of professionals. In
this way it should be possible to explore what projects can be started and what
initiatives encouraged whereby the media can be used to further the progress of
mankind. The people of God (both pastors and laymen) commits itself, in the
fulfilment of these duties, to give support to the initiatives of men of good
will everywhere so that the means of social communication may be used for
justice, peace, freedom and human progress.
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