Sept. 28 is International Day for Universal Access to Information.
According to the United Nations, “universal access to information means that everyone has the right to seek, receive and impart information.”
In September 2020, Pope Francis reminded a group of journalists of the need to offer high-quality information capable of properly forming consciences.
QUALITY INFORMATION HELPS UNDERSTAND PROBLEMS
POPE FRANCIS
“In the society in which we live, information is an integral part of our daily lives. When it's quality information, it allows us to better understand the problems and challenges the world is called to face, and it inspires individual, familiar and social behaviors.”
Pope Francis also said that in the middle of the confusion caused by the flood of so many different voices and messages, we need a human narrative, to tell us about ourselves.
OFFER TESTIMONY WITHOUT HIDING NOR MANIPULATING THE TRUTH
POPE FRANCIS
“Due to his high professional awareness, a Christian journalist must offer a new testimony in the world of communication, without hiding the truth nor manipulating information.”
This year, the International Day for Universal Access to Information focuses on the right to information in times of crisis, as for example during the current pandemic.
HOPE MUST BE STRENGTHENED
The pope says that a Christian professional in the world of information must be a spokesperson of hope capable of promoting trust in the future.
POPE FRANCIS
“Only when the future is seen as a positive and possible reality does the present also become livable. These reflections can also help us, especially today, to fuel hope during the situation of the pandemic the world is going through.”
Pope Francis is firm. He asks journalists to promote a narrative capable of seeing the world and its events with tenderness, to thus awaken the awareness of the link that unites humanity.
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: CT
