Papa Leão 14 defends communication free from prejudice, fanaticism and hate

In his first meeting with journalists, held on Monday (12), in the Vatican, Pope Leo 14 criticized hate speeches and misinformation, praised the role of journalists and communication in the construction of more harmonious environments and the appreciation of truth and warned of the need for society to deal responsibly with artificial intelligence.

“Peace begins in each of us: in the way we look at others, we hear others, talk about others. In this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war,” the Pontiff said.

The new Pope also argued that “let us disarm the communication of all prejudice, grudge, fanaticism and hatred; we purify it from aggressiveness.”

He added: “We do not need resounding and muscle communication, but a communication that can hear, to welcome the voice of the fragile who have no voice. Let us disarm the words and help to disarm the earth. Disarmed and disarmed communication allows us to share a different view of the world and act consistently with our human dignity.”

In the midst of the rise of the far right, hate speeches and fake news as political manipulation tools, Leo 14 argued that one of the most important challenges of today “is to promote a communication that can get us out of the ‘Tower of Babel’ in which we sometimes find ourselves, the confusion of languages ​​without love, often ideological or biased. They adopt, it’s important. ”

Also read: Global Risk Report points to false news as the main threat

The Pontiff also stated that “communication, in fact, is not only the transmission of information, but the creation of a culture, human and digital environments that become spaces of dialogue and discussion.”

Leo 14 also stressed that artificial intelligence has a “immense potential”, which, however, requires “responsibility and discernment to guide the instruments for the good of all, so that they can produce benefits to humanity. This responsibility concerns everyone, in proportion to age and social roles.”

Support for journalists

The Pope has sympathized with journalists arrested around the world, pointing out that “the Church recognizes in these witnesses-I think of those who report the war even at the expense of their lives-the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of peoples to information, because only the informed peoples can make free choices. The suffering of these trapped journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling us to safeguard the precious good of freedom of expression and the press. ”

Finally, he pointed out, “You (journalists) are on the front line narrating conflicts and hopes for peace, situations of injustice and poverty, and the silent work of many for a better world. So I ask them to choose, consciously and courage, the path of peace communication.”