The Cebu Archdiocese calls on media outfits not to resort to “indiscriminate self-promotion,” which it said will affect the delivery of truth in its broadcast and publications.
In the editorial of “Bag-ong Lungsoranon,” the Catholic Church once again reminded media practitioners, in accordance with the celebration of World Communications Day, on their enormous responsibility that needs to be religiously performed.
“Dili malalis ang dakong gahum sa media pag-umol sa panghunahuna sa tawo ug panglantaw sa katilingban (The great power of the media to mold the minds of the people and the foresight of the society cannot be contested),” Lungsoranon said.
The editorial also wanted the media to relay to the public both information and reality. It cited Pope Benedict XVI’s reminder about the threat of creating a scenario for self-interest instead of pure and unbiased reporting of events.
This sad reality (creating a scenario) is usually resorted by a media outfit or institution to promote its own selfish agenda, said Lungsoranon.
“Ilabina kun kining hinimohimo nga mga hitabo makalupig sa kompetisyon, o mahuyang o magdaot sa mga institution nga wala hiuyuni niini,” Lungsoranon said.
Networks, publications, and stations, in their business competition, should ponder on the message of the Holy Father so that the public, who are the recipients of their output, should not get fallacies or distorted information as they mold their own opinion on a particular issue.
Lungsoranon further urged the public to be cautious or wary of the media’s presentation of facts to rid themselves of following the wrong direction, lack of truth and distortion of the issues at hand.
The Pope’s message, issued last May 4 for the 42nd celebration of the World Communication Sunday, gave importance to the role of the media in evangelization. — Ferliza C. Contratista/RAE