"I return to the encouraging words of Saint Paul: Christ is our peace. In him we are one (cf. Eph 2:14). Let us together break down the dividing walls of hostility and build up the communion of love according to the designs of the Creator made known through his Son!"

Benedict XVI, Message for the 40th World Communications Day

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This year marks the first World Communications Day message of Pope Benedict XVI, and the 40th such document since a worldwide celebration was called for in the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council’s Decree, Inter Mirifica, on the Means of Social Communication.

Pope Benedict has chosen to focus on the great potential of the media in serving the common good and "the idea of the media as a network facilitating communication, communion and cooperation".

He offers a New Testament insight into the roots of this network of communion by quoting from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians: "through Christ we have access in one Spirit to the Father; so we are no longer strangers and aliens but citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, growing into a holy temple, a dwelling place for God." (cf. Eph 2:18-22). He notes that our recognition of God’s communication of himself in Christ, should lead us to share the good news of his love and mercy, so that it can be known, experienced and lead to greater communion and cooperation.

The Holy Father recognizes how technology has helped bring down barriers of time and space, making communication instantaneous and direct, and thereby offering great potential for serving the common good. However, he also acknowledges that these new means of communication do not automatically bring about greater cooperation or communion. Instead, how we communicate needs to be addressed, since "authentic communication demands principled courage and resolve" both to communicate truth and enlighten humanity on "what is the ultimate foundation and meaning of human, personal and social existence".

In examining the call of the media to be responsible to the public trust given them, and ideally to be protagonists of truth and promoters of peace, the Pope notes some of the trends challenging this duty: adherence to "a kind of monoculture that dims creative genius", oversimplification of complex thought and difficult issues, and undervaluing cultural and religious values. The pressures of self interest and financial gain can be a root cause of what he terms these "distortions".

To respond to these trends, the Pope encourages the media to do their utmost in accurately reporting events, offering complete accounts on matters of public concern and giving fair representation of diverse points of view. He underscores especially the importance of supporting marriage and the family, the most fundamental building block of every culture and society, by "presenting edifying models of human life and love" and doing away with "debased or false expressions of love which ridicule the God-given dignity of every human person".

In conclusion, recalling The Rapid Development, the last Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II, he restates the importance of formation, participation and dialogue as ways of serving the common good. Formation involves responsible and critical use of the media on the part of the consumer and more attention on the part of the provider in avoiding any temptation to manipulate. Participation calls to mind the sense of responsibility and accountability, especially since the media are a good destined for all people, and, therefore, require special attention in respecting the public trust. Finally, the media can promote dialogue by allowing for a balanced exchange of ideas, by showing gestures of solidarity or efforts to promote peace. All these steps, if taken seriously and put into practice, can help develop a greater awareness of the dignity of the human person, and especially the weakest members of society, to build up a civilization of love.