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1.
THE PRINTED WORD
136. The Press, of its power
and nature, is of towering importance. Because of its adaptability, because of
its variety and of the number of its publications, it can go into detail when
reporting the news. It can also comment on the news and, without boring the
reader, interpret it in a way that makes him think for himself. It is a most
useful complement to the audio-visual means of communication. It is a most
effective means of stimulating men's critical faculties and of helping them
form their own opinions. Since it is able to deal with such a variety of
material and since it can so admirably encourage men to think, it has prime
place in the promotion of social dialogue.
Moreover, today all the classics of
religious literature are available to everybody in the form of paperbacks,
booklets and every sort of leaflet. So also are the accepted masterpieces of
every nation, scientific works and every sort of light reading that can provide
pleasant relaxation. "Comics" and illustrated stories are not to be
despised. They can for instance be used to illustrate the Sacred Scriptures and
the lives of the saints. All these productions of the printing press deserve
our interest and support.
137. The Catholic press - and
this includes reviews, magazines and periodicals - can be marvellously
effective in bringing a knowledge of the Church to the world and a knowledge of
the world to the Church. It does this by imparting information and by
stimulating those processes by which public opinion is formed. There is,
however, no advantage in founding new publications if quantity is achieved at
the cost of quality and if the new injure the old.
138. That part of the
Catholic press which is of general interest publishes news and opinions and
background articles about all the facets and problems and worries of modern
life. This it does in the light of Christian principles. It is the task of the
Catholic press to balance, to complete and, if necessary, to correct the news
and comments about religion and the Christian life. At one and the same time it
will be a glass that reflects the world and a light to show it the way. It will
be a forum, a meeting place for the exchange of views. This press needs
talented men and funds if its professional competence is to be above dispute.
139. The Catholic press must
be able to acquire suitable offices and the proper facilities for obtaining
news reports and features. Otherwise, a Catholic-run press cannot effectively
promote dialogue inside the Church and between the Church and the outside
world. It must also achieve professional standards in printing up-to-date,
accurate and comprehensive news about the life of the Church. In the
collecting, collating and passing on of the news throughout the world there is
need for cooperation at the international level.
140. Catholics are encouraged
to read Catholic publications regularly. Naturally these must deserve the name
of being Catholic. It is hard to see how people can keep in touch with what is
happening in the Church without the Catholic press. Neither can people keep a
Catholic attitude towards what happens in the world without the help of
commentaries on the news written in the light of Christian principles. This is
certainly not intended as an interference in the individual's right to read
what he chooses. Still less is it intended as an interference with the freedom
of expression of writers with different convictions nor is it intended to
discourage diversity, ordinarily taken for granted in a particular area. It is
self-evident that Catholic writers must earn their popularity and following by
the high standard of their work.
141. When the events of the
day raise questions that touch fundamental Christian principles the Catholic
press will try to interpret these in accordance with the Magisterium of the
Church. Apart from this, clergy and laity will encourage a free expression of
opinion and a wide variety of publications and points of view. They should do
this because it will satisfy the different interests and concerns of readers
and because it contributes to the formation of public opinion in the Church and
the world. 64 Those Catholic newspapers which are recognized as the
official organs of the various authorities and institutions of the Church will
always, in accordance with usual press practice, try to explain fully the thinking
of the organization for which they are accepted as public spokesmen. In these
newspapers, an unrestricted liberty of expression will be maintained in those
pages where it is made quite clear that the editors are not committing
themselves in a particular question that is still under discussion.
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