|
In his message for world communications day on 23 May 2004, his holiness Pope John II reiterated that “Families today face new challenges arising from the varies and often contradictory messages presented by the mass media ….
“This year’s theme,” continued the Pope “is also a reminder to everyone, both communicators and those whom they address, that all communication has a moral dimension …
“People grow or diminish in moral stature by the words which they speak and the messages which they choose to hear.
“Consequently, wisdom and discernment in the use of the media are particularly called for on the part of communications professionals; parents and educators, for their decisions greatly affect children and young people for whom they are responsible, and who are ultimately the future of society.”
Thus if core values are really treasured less emphasis on commercialised sex, violence and consumerism should be the order of the day.
I find it scandalous amongst others to see on a Sunday morning, the Lord’s day, an ‘open shop’ on one Maltese TV station purporting to expose Christian democratic values, or revealingly dressed presenters on a couple of the state’s own TV programmes. Or the patrician political message inserted even in a supposedly religious programme by a station claiming to have family fare – not to mention the weekly contestations of catholic teaching on a station perhaps desirous of smashing our faith?
Joseph G Bonett
Ghajnsielem
Gozo
|
