(24 Jan 2007 RV) Pope Benedict XVI has denounced the rampant use of violent or sexualy
demeaning images in video games and on television, particularly when they are directed
at society’s children. In his message for the “World day of Social Communications”,
the Pope asks how this perverse form of ‘entertainment’ is to be explained to the
countless innocent young people who actually suffer violence, exploitation and abuse.
The Holy Father's Message has been published in Italian, English, French, German,
Spanish and Portuguese. Extracts from the English language version are given below:
"The theme of the Forty-first World Communications Day," the Holy Father's Message
begins, "invites us to reflect on two related topics of immense importance. The formation
of children is one. The other, perhaps less obvious but no less important, is the
formation of the media.
"The complex challenges facing education today are
often linked to the pervasive influence of the media in our world. ... Indeed, some
claim that the formative influence of the media rivals that of the school, the Church,
and maybe even the home. 'Reality, for many, is what the media recognize as real.'
"The relationship of children, media, and education can be considered from two perspectives:
the formation of children by the media; and the formation of children to respond appropriately
to the media. ... Within this framework, training in the proper use of the media is
essential for the cultural, moral and spiritual development of children."
"Educating children to be discriminating in their use of the media is a responsibility
of parents, Church, and school. The role of parents is of primary importance. They
have a right and duty to ensure the prudent use of the media by training the conscience
of their children to express sound and objective judgments which will then guide them
in choosing or rejecting programs available. In doing so, parents should have the
encouragement and assistance of schools and parishes in ensuring that this difficult,
though satisfying; aspect of parenting is supported by the wider community.
"Media education should be positive. Children exposed to what is aesthetically and
morally excellent are helped to develop appreciation, prudence and the skills of discernment.
Here it is important to recognize the fundamental value of parents' example and the
benefits of introducing young people to children's classics in literature, to the
fine arts and to uplifting music. While popular literature will always have its place
in culture, the temptation to sensationalize should not be passively accepted in places
of learning."
"Like education in general, media education requires formation
in the exercise of freedom. This is a demanding task. So often freedom is presented
as a relentless search for pleasure or new experiences. Yet this is a condemnation
not liberation! True freedom could never condemn the individual - especially a child
- to an insatiable quest for novelty. In the light of truth, authentic freedom is
experienced as a definitive response to God's 'yes' to humanity, calling us to choose,
not indiscriminately but deliberately, all that is good, true and beautiful. Parents,
then, as the guardians of that freedom, while gradually giving their children greater
freedom, introduce them to the profound joy of life.
"This heartfelt wish
of parents and teachers to educate children in the ways of beauty, truth and goodness
can be supported by the media industry only to the extent that it promotes fundamental
human dignity, the true value of marriage and family life, and the positive achievements
and goals of humanity. Thus, the need for the media to be committed to effective formation
and ethical standards is viewed with particular interest and even urgency not only
by parents and teachers but by all who have a sense of civic responsibility.
"While affirming the belief that many people involved in social communications want
to do what is right, we must also recognize that those who work in this field confront
'special psychological pressures and ethical dilemmas' which at times see commercial
competitiveness compelling communicators to lower standards.
"Any trend to
produce programs and products - including animated films and video games - which in
the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behavior or the trivialization
of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programs are
directed at children and adolescents. How could one explain this 'entertainment' to
the countless innocent young people who actually suffer violence, exploitation and
abuse?"
"Again I appeal to the leaders of the media industry to educate and
encourage producers to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect
individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family.
"The Church herself, in the light of the message of salvation entrusted to her, is
also a teacher of humanity and welcomes the opportunity to offer assistance to parents,
educators, communicators, and young people. Her own parish and school programs should
be in the forefront of media education today." Hear More..