Means of Social Communications
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Media and Peoples' Private Lives (2492)
There should be an appropriate reserve concerning peoples' private lives. The media should maintain a balance between the common good (the right to know) and the individual (the right to privacy). Interfering in the private lives of public persons must be condemned if it infringes on their privacy and freedom.
Media - Serving Society (2493-2494)
The media plays a major role in information and formation. Due to technological progress, the media's role in influencing public opinion is constantly increasing.
Media information must be at the service of society (which has a right to information based on truth and justice). "The context of the communication must be true and communicated honestly and properly. In gathering news, the moral law and the rights of man must be upheld" (Second Vatican Council).
News Media - Justice, Yet Charity (2495-2497)
News must help to form and transmit sound public opinion. Solidarity results from a free flow of ideas that further knowledge and respect for others.
The mass media causes a certain passivity. Both listener and viewer must use discipline to form correct consciences and to combat unwholesome influences.
Journalists must serve the truth with charity. They must respect both the facts and the limits of critical judgments concerning individuals. They must not stoop to defamation.
Manipulating Public Opinion (2498-2499)
Public authorities must defend a true freedom of information. By legislation, they must safeguard public morality and social progress. They must punish those in the media who violate the reputation and privacy of others. They must respond to the well-founded concerns of the people about the use of media. Nothing can justify disinformation or manipulation of public opinion. Public intervention must not injure the freedom of the person or the group.
Totalitarian states must be condemned for exercising political control of the media, of manipulating trials, and of repressing what they see as "thought crimes."
Truth in the Beauty of Art (2500)
Truth carries the joy and splendor of spiritual beauty. Truth is found in forms beyond words which touch the human heart. Before revealing through words, God revealed himself by the beauty of all creation, which is understood by children and by scientists. From creation, man can perceive "the author of beauty" (Wis 13:5). "Wisdom is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God and an image of his goodness. I became enamored of her beauty" (Wis 7:25-26).
The Mystery of God (2501-2503)
Man expresses his relationship to God by the beauty of artistic works. Art (a distinctly human form of expression) comes from the person's inner riches and gives a form to truth. Art bears a likeness to God in his creating activity. However, art is not an absolute goal and must be ordered to man's ultimate goal (Pope Pius XII).
Sacred art glorifies the mystery of God in his invisible beauty and in the visible love of Christ, in whom the "fullness of God dwells bodily" (Col 2:9). God's beauty is also reflected in the Virgin Mary, the angels, and saints.
Bishops must promote sacred art (old and new) in all its forms. They must also remove from the liturgy and from places of worship whatever does not conform to the truth of faith and to authentic beauty.
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