The Theme of this years World Communication Day 2007 (May 20, '07), is "Children and the Media: a Challenge for Education"
What a great theme. For those of you that have children, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, you are aware of the growing trend of the media, be it TV, Music, fashion trends, Video Games, Movie Theater Showings, to be emphasising sex, violence and non-morality more and more.
"Hey, this stuff sells" is the mantra. But at what cost?
The Pope explains: "The relationship of children, media, and education can be considered from two perspectives: the formation of children by the media; and the formation of children to respond appropriately to the media.
"A kind of reciprocity emerges which points to the responsibilities of the media as an industry and to the need for active and critical participation of readers, viewers and listeners."
The Pontiff adds: "Within this framework, training in the proper use of the media is essential for the cultural, moral and spiritual development of children.
"Educating children to be discriminating in their use of the media is a responsibility of parents, Church, and school.
"Media education should be positive. Children exposed to what is aesthetically and morally excellent are helped to develop appreciation, prudence and the skills of discernment."
I like the way B16 brings about the point that it's not just the children we need to educate, but the media as well.
The Holy Father appeals in his message "to the leaders of the media industry to educate and encourage producers to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family."
Reprinted with permission from the National Post, Canada. All rights reserved.
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