7. Adult groups

Points for reflection

I. THE FACTS AS OBSERVED

1. On the positive side:

--The concern sometimes shown for objectivity in reporting events of a spiritual nature (in a broad sense);

--Programme time reserved for religious information and values;

--The efforts made by some sections of the press and other media to ensure that religious matters are covered by journalists with the proper religious and professional qualifications.

--The interest shown, even by non-practising Christians and unbelievers, in the Christian press and/or religious progammes of quality.

2. On the negative side:

--Intentional, meaningful omissions aimed at disparaging or concealing spiritual values (when not advocating outright atheism);

--Misinformation: ignoring the essential in favour of the detail, the marginal, the unattractive aspect, which is then blown up into something sensational, extraordinary, even scandalous;

--Biased interpretation of facts and religious teaching; one-sided public opinion campaigns (e.g. against the celibacy of the priesthood); exploitation of certain statements to further unrelated interests;

--The indifferent, negative or even destructive attitude to spiritual values and religious information on the media on the part of viewers and readers - among ourselves and all around us.

3. The disastrous or regrettable effects of such attitudes on the soul

--Doubt, eclecticism, indifference, even rebellion (for example, among young people).

II. SOME REFLECTIONS ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

1. It is only right that the marvellous opportunities offered by modern mass communications techniques should be used to aid the development of humankind: of the whole man and woman, of all men and women, on the human plane and on the level of their highest values, of their most sublime aspirations. Among these spiritual values are religious values, which for us Christians are sumrned up in the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.

2. Just as they have a right to other values, men and women have a right to information concerning the life of their religious congregation (events, teachings) and even to receive instruction (through programrnes or articles on religious culture); to be reminded of what they live by, what they are building, what they seek.

3. The institutions which serve humanity through religious values (religions, churches) have the right to be presented truthfully, to have their life and teachings shown with objectivity, without favour but also without deformation.

4. Every one of us - individual, group, association - is responsible for the way the media develop and their use for or against the integral development of humankind and "the elevation of the authentic culture of peoples" (cf.Communio et Progressio, 63-100; Aetatis Novae, 13).

III. POSSIBLE ACTION

--What can we do to improve the situation in the various media, both individually and collectively?

--Express compliments and thanks for good programmes and articles; criticize and protest where necessary, demanding corrections or the right to refute publicly; launch petitions;

--Train professionals in communications, concerned to respect and promote religious values;

--Collaborate on an ecumenical basis, do as much as possible together; keep your own identity and respect that of others;

--Exploit the possibilities offered by the Centenary of the Motion Picture to make people aware of these problems (cf. Communio et Progressio, 135-160; Aetatis Novae, 31).