More than 300 Catholic journalists from 26 countries are taking part in Lourdes from January 24 to 26, 2018, at the 22nd François de Sales Days. At this time of the ‘fake news’, they are discussing the theme ‘media and truth’ to confront their points of view and reflect on their mission as Christian communicators.
Journalists, church media managers, editors, diocesan or organization press officers, some 300 people responded this year to the invitation of the Federation of Catholic Media of France and the Secretariat for Communication of the Vatican. Usually gathered in Annecy, the François de Sales Days have mer this year in the Marian city of Lourdes. which celebrates 160 years of the apparitions of the Virgin. Receiving the participants, Bishop Nicolas Brouwet, Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, spoke about the figure of Bernadette Soubirous who was the subject of truly incredible events. But she was believed especially because she herself was a ‘true’ person. “I always told the truth,” she explains.
“The fake news are a deadly venom, because they sabotage relationships”, immediately reminded Bishop Dario Vigano. Echoing the message of Pope Francis for the World Day of Social Communications, published the same day, the prefect of the Holy See Secretariat for Communication, stressed that fake news are not only objectively false news, but also news that leaves factually truth that is given a false interpretation. On the model of the serpent of Genesis who manages to persuade Eve to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree, they start from a truth to deceive.
For François Ernenwein, editor-in-chief at La Croix and coordinator of the theme, the choice of ‘media and truth’ is particularly timely. It is not a matter of granting certificates of good conduct to a Catholic press that would be safe from drifting, but “to permanently engage our view of the world, far from mental laziness and little certainty.” For him the truth is rooted in sharing, it is a path and a horizon.
The journalist also shares a truth of experience. “If we are here, it is because of the promise we make, that of reducing the uncertainties of our audience. Without agitating our convictions, nor brandishing our messages, it is a question of seeing more clearly in order to advance towards the truth that will make us free “. Catholic journalists have three days to take these first steps.
https://www.cath.ch/newsf/medias-verite-coeur-22e-journees-francois-de-sales-a-lourdes/