B. Solidarity and integral development

13. As matters stand, mass-media at times exacerbate individual and social problems which stand in the way of human solidarity and the integral development of the human person. These obstacles include secularism, consumerism, materialism, dehumanization, and lack of concern for the plight of the poor and neglected. ²⁷

It is against this background that the Church, recognizing the media of social communications as "the privileged way" today for the creation and transmission of culture, ²⁸ acknowledges its own duty to offer formation to communications professionals and to the public, so that they will approach media with "a critical sense which is animated by a passion for the truth"; it likewise acknowledges its duty to engage in "a work of defense of liberty, respect for the dignity of individuals, and the elevation of the authentic culture of peoples which occurs through a firm and courageous rejection of every form of monopoly and manipulation". ²⁹

Cf. JOHN PAUL II, Centesimus Annus, n. 41, inAAS, LXXXIII (1991), p. 841.

JOHN PAUL II, Christifideles Laici, n. 44, in AAS, LXXXI (1989), p. 480.

Ibidem, p. 481.