460 MEDIA PITFALLS

YOUCAT Lesson 460

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

460  What dangers result from the media?

Many people, especially children, think that whatever they see in the media is real.  If in the name of entertainment violence is glorified, anti-social behavior is approved of, and human sexuality is trivialized, this is a sin both of those in the media who are responsible and also of those supervisory authorities that ought to put a stop to it.  [2496, 2512]

Edward R. Murrow  (April 25, 1908 – April 27, 1965), pictured above, was an American radio and television broadcast journalist. ….460

Edward R. Murrow first came to prominence with a series of radio broadcasts for the news division of The Columbia Broadcasting System during World War II, which were followed by millions of listeners in the United States (one of whom was then teenager Don L. Bragg).A pioneer of television news broadcasting, Murrow produced a series of reports that helped lead to the censure of Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy. Fellow journalists Eric Sevareid, Ed Bliss, Bill Downs, Dan Rather, and Alexander Kendrick consider Murrow one of journalism's greatest figures, noting his honesty and integrity in delivering the news. --Wikipedia

People who work in the media should always be aware of the fact that their productions have an educational effect.  Young people must constantly examine themselves to determine whether they are able to use the media freely, with critical distance, or whether they have become addicted to particular media.  Every person is responsible for his soul.  Those who consume violence, hatred, and pornography in the media become spiritually deadened and do themselves harm.

Special means of communication:  Those media that are aimed not merely at individuals but at human society as a whole and influence it, such as the press, film, radio, television, the Internet, and so on.

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Matthew 6:21

 [2496, 2512]

2496 The means of social communication (especially the mass media) can give rise to a certain passivity among users, making them less than vigilant consumers of what is said or shown. Users should practice moderation and discipline in their approach to the mass media. They will want to form enlightened and correct consciences the more easily to resist unwholesome influences. --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

IN BRIEF

2512 Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, and justice. One should practice moderation and discipline in the use of the social communications media. --CCC