In Focus
‘The
Antidote of Truth’ Catholics called to fight disinformation, serve common good in use of media “A lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots.” BY RAYANNE BENNETT
Associate Publisher AND
EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor
In an ironic example of possible “fake news,” the above quote – or a version of it – has been attributed to several individuals, including Mark Twain and the 16th century satirist Jonathan Swift. Regardless of who first coined the statement, it is a fair description of human interaction and a plausible explanation of why society is so profoundly impacted by the unfettered expansion of “fake news” or disinformation, particularly in the
media that we consume and share. We all have some kind of connection to the media – whether it is delivered through our televisions, computer screens, phones or print publications. It is a good thing, and we have come to rely on the media for so many aspects of our lives. From the youngest of children watching videos of their favorite shows, to our seniors, sharing news, photos and maybe a recipe or two . . . most of us are in front of screens and consuming digital and social media on a daily basis. For many individuals, the Continued on 8
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Staying vigilant Continued from 5
use of new media is more than social . . . it is how we promote our businesses or communicate for our jobs, our studies, etc. And for people of faith, digital and social media has been a means to witness to our spiritual beliefs, to spread the Gospel and advocate for others in the name of justice and charity. WE ARE CALLED
Shutterstock photo
Indeed, for generations, our Church has called upon us to utilize modern media in service to the common good and to counteract the negative influences that threaten our peace, well-being and sense of solidarity. We are “In order charged with the role of preserving to champion the truth and using it as an antidote to those who mean to do harm, as the truth in Pope Francis has counseled. Understanding the truth is half media, we the battle. In a message published need to stay in early August, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., spoke of truth as informed.” embodied in our faith. He wrote: “Truth is not true because we believe it. Truth is true whether we believe it or not. “Truth is not true today and false tomorrow. Truth is not the
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object of whims; it is not the subject of opinion polls or majority votes; it is not the ‘stuff ’ of arbitrary decisions based upon what is easiest or most convenient to follow or what ‘feels good’ at any particular point in time. Truth is the Lord Jesus dwelling among us in the Church he established.” In order to champion the truth in media, we need to stay informed, exercise responsibility and remain mindful of our mandate to “love one another,” even when it is our neighbors down the street who persist in posting hateful and disrespectful content to their Facebook page. It’s a tall order, and easily thwarted by our human failings. Like all media consumers, Catholics need to know whether stories are accurate, biased, merely hearsay or downright fabricated. We need to recognize when sources are questionable, even though they are and posted and re-posted as if credible. Finally, we need to know what to do when something isn’t legitimate or isn’t aligned with what we believe as disciples of Christ. THE THREATS ARE REAL As challenging as all of this may have been in the past, we are now entering a political season that brings with it even greater threats to the common good. National security officials have consistently warned that foreign-led campaigns are underway, attempting to influence our thinking and how we communicate with one another. Add to that the home-grown extremist messages that aim to radicalize and gain followers. Misinformation – and worse, disinformation, designed to cause harm – is pervasive across social media platforms, sometimes with deadly consequences. For instance, survey data collected in six countries by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford determined that 33 percent of people have been exposed to COVID-19 misinformation on social media. Through the use of automated “bot” systems, bad actors have succeeded in infecting social media with an unfathomable number of fake accounts aimed at spreading disinformation and sowing division among those who hold different political, cultural and religious views. To combat this tidal wave of ill-intended content, social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have been fighting fire with fire – cracking down Continued on 14
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The Church, the Media and Us What responsibility do Catholics have to use the media for good? COMPILED BY EMMALEE ITALIA Contributing Editor
F The Vatican II document Inter Mirifica addressed the importance of the mass media as a means of spreading the Gospel, as well as foreseeing potential for its abuse by some as a tool of dishonest persuasion. Photo from Queen of Peace Catholic Store website
rom the earliest days of mass communications, the Church has astutely monitored its potential to both advance the Gospel and serve others, and conversely, to spread evils such as hate, racism and immorality. Our Church has called upon us to reject the destructive use of media and, instead, fully embrace it to share God’s love. Now that broadcast, digital and social media are such a mainstay in how we communicate and get information, the responsibility that the Church has given us to use it effectively and appropriately becomes even more critical. Here is just some of what our Church has taught through its leaders about media and communications: Continued on 10
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THE BLESSING AND PROPER USE OF MEDIA TO SERVE MANKIND Promulgated in 1963, Inter Mirifica, the Decree On the Media of Social Communications penned as part of the Second Vatican Council and promulgated by Pope Paul VI, was in many ways ahead of its time. Already recognizing the benefit of news organizations spreading information to all corners of the earth, the decree sought not only to praise the media’s potential, but also to issue a warning for its potential to be abused. “The Church welcomes and promotes with special interest those [technological discoveries] which have a most direct relation to men’s minds, and which have uncovered new avenues of communicating most readily news, views and teachings of every sort … The Church recognized, too, that men can employ these media contrary to the plan of the Creator … [and] experiences maternal grief at the harm all too often done to society by their use” [1]. The power of media to influence consumers’ thoughts, the decree notes, makes it all the more necessary that “all who employ them be acquainted with the norms of morality and conscientiously put them into practice in this area … [Media] must “The decree take into consideration the entire circumstances, namely the persons, sought not place, time and other conditions only to praise under which communication takes place and which can affect or totally the media’s change its propriety … its influence potential, but can be so great that men, especially if they are unprepared, can scarcely also to issue a become aware of it, govern its impact, or, if necessary, reject it” [4]. warning.” The reporting of news, the decree stresses, “should always be true and complete, within the bounds of justice and charity” [5]. The council exhorted that “every member of society must fulfill he demands of justice and charity in this area … all must strive, through these media as well, to form and spread public opinion” [8]. As to those spreading the news – at the time, newsmen, and other members of the arts and entertainment industries – the council declared that the principal moral responsibility for proper use of media falls squarely on their shoulders. Those in public authority, likewise, bear the responsibility 10 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE September 2020
With an image of Blessed John XXIII in the background, a photographer’s laptop and lens are seen as Cardinal Loris Capovilla, who served as personal secretary to Blessed John, speaks via video link to an April 25, 2014 Vatican press conference in advance of the canonization of Blesseds John and John Paul II. Sts. John XXIII and John Paul II both spoke to the Church at large about the responsibility of the media and the Catholic response – the former convening the Second Vatican Council which produced the document Inter Mirifica, and the latter in his apostolic letter to those in communications. CNS photo/Paul Haring “to exercise a fitting and careful watch lest grave damage befall public morals and the welfare of society through the base use of these media” [12].
MEDIA MUST PROMOTE ACCURACY, RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE St. John Paul II, addressing those in the communications industry, issued an apostolic letter in January 2005, The Rapid Development of Technology. In it he addressed the timely concern of a change in cultural attitude toward the very existence of truth – and how the media are partially responsible for this shift. The Pope exhorted that conveying truth must be the
In Focus
centerpiece of any news medium. “The mass media can and must promote justice and solidarity according to an organic and correct vision of human development, by reporting events accurately and truthfully, analyzing situations and problems completely, and providing a forum for different opinions. An authentically ethical approach to using the powerful communication media must be situated within the context of a mature exercise of freedom and responsibility, founded upon the supreme criteria of truth and justice” [4]. St. John Paul II urged communicators to focus on “formation, participation and dialogue” [11]. Formation would help prevent media running “the risk of manipulating and heavily “Conveying conditioning, rather than serving people.” The potentruth must tial for promoting dialogue, be the he stressed, would allow media to “become a powerful centerpiece resource for good if used to foster understanding between of any news peoples; a destructive ‘weapmedium.” on’ if used to foster injustice and conflicts” [11]. Although modern technologies make rapid and voluminous dissemination of information possible, St. John Paul II reminded communicators that “they do not favor that delicate exchange which takes place between mind and mind, between heart and heart, and which should characterize any communication at the service of solidarity and love.” Citing the apostle Paul, he wrote, “Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth … No foul
language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:25, 29).
SOCIAL MEDIA’S POTENTIAL FOR COMMUNICATION, ABUSE In his annual Message for World Communications Day in 2009, 2011 and 2013, Pope Benedict XVI zeroed in on the rapidly growing arena of social media, and the necessity of its users, despite not being journalists, to promote honest communication and respect for all in conversation. “Dialogue between people from different countries, cultures and regions … require[s] honest and appropriate forms of expression together with attentive and respectful listening,” wrote the Pope. “Life is not just a succession of events or experiences: it is a search for the true, the good and the beautiful” (2009). “In the digital age, too, everyone is confronted by the need for authenticity and reflection … It follows that there exists a Christian way of being present in the digital world: this takes the form of a communication which is honest and open, responsible and respectful of others … [which means] to witness consistently, in one’s own digital profile and in the way one communicates choices, preferences and judgments that are fully consistent with the Gospel, even when it is not spoken of specifically” (2011). Because anyone in the social media arena can have an instant platform, without oversight, the newsworthiness of what is shared is often debatable. The medium itself, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, presents “challenges to those who want to speak about truth and values.” The significance and effectiveness of the information shared, he said, “appear to be determined more by their popularity than by their intrinsic importance and value … often Continued on 12
Pope Francis, St. John Paul II and retired Pope Benedict XVI are pictured in a composite photo. All three popes spoke and wrote about the responsible use of media during their papal tenure. CNS photo/ Paul Haring/Joe Rimkus Jr.
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linked to celebrity or strategies of persuasion rather than to the logic of argumentation.” Often drowned out is the “gentle voice of reason” with more attention afforded to “those who express themselves in a more persuasive manner” (2013).
BISHOPS RESPOND TO MEDIA MISUSE Renewing the Mind of the Media, an episcopal document issued in June 1998 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, focuses primarily on the rise of inappropriate and damaging material in entertainment media. The news media, however, are also addressed as a potential breeding ground for negative influence. “Even people who do not consume a great deal of media are well aware that they live in a society whose environment and values are affected by media influence for good or ill, and they can be affected themselves, even indirectly,” the bishops wrote. Although the Internet was not yet rife with social media 22 years ago, the USCCB foresaw the potential for its abuse among the ill-formed and impressionable. “Other forms of media, new and “We need old, also influence young people and adults to engage in morally and soto discern cially destructive forms of behavior. everything that The utility of the Internet has already been compromised … to transmit encourages messages of hate.” Broadcast news, too, did not go communion unnoticed in its potential for fomentand promotes ing conflict. “Talk radio often assaults goodness.” its listeners with angry or indecent remarks… [and] those involved in the news media need to ask themselves whether the emphasis placed on the coverage of violent crime and the often-graphic nature of this coverage is warranted. If it is not, they must take responsibility for causing undue anxiety and alarm among their consumers and for their contribution to a climate in which violence becomes commonplace.”
THE ROLE OF FAKE NEWS IN OBSCURING TRUTH Pope Francis, in his January 2018 Message for World Communications Day, addressed the growing trend of “fake news,” and how its increasing prevalence has not only made actual news 12 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE September 2020
more difficult to discover, but has spread “false information based on non-existent or distorted data meant to deceive and manipulate the reader” [1]. Fake news’ effectiveness, Pope Francis explained, “is primarily due to its ability to mimic real news, to seem plausible. Secondly, this false but believable news is ‘captious,’ inasmuch as it grasps people’s attention by appealing to stereotypes and common social prejudices, and exploiting instantaneous emotions like anxiety, contempt, anger and frustration” [1]. The difficulty, he continued, of thwarting fake news is the echo chamber – the tendency of many people to “interact in homogeneous digital environments impervious to differing perspectives and opinions.” That lack of variety in point of view creates a breeding ground for disinformation to grow. “It risks turning people into unwilling accomplices in spreading biased and baseless ideas. The tragedy of disinformation is that it discredits others, presenting them as enemies, to the point of demonizing them and fomenting conflict” [1]. Recognizing fake news means fighting “deliberately evasive and subtly misleading rhetoric and at times the use of sophisticated psychological mechanisms,” Pope Francis wrote. “Praiseworthy efforts are being made to create educational programs aimed at helping people to interpret and assess information provided by the media and teaching them to take an active part in unmasking falsehoods, rather than unwittingly contributing to the spread of disinformation” [2]. Pope Francis also praised the efforts of institutional and legal initiatives designed to help curb fake news, “to say nothing of the work being done by tech and media companies in coming up with new criteria for verifying personal identities … we need to unmask what could be called the ‘snake-tactics’ used by those who disguise themselves in order to strike at any time and place” [2]. He compared such tactics to those of the serpent in the Garden of Eden, “who, at the dawn of Creation, created the first fake news (cf. Gen 3:1-15) …” [2]. Defending ourselves, Pope Francis wrote, must be with the
In Focus
antidote of truth. “To discern the truth, we need to discern everything that encourages communion and promotes goodness from whatever instead tends to isolate, divide, and oppose” [3]. People who are ready to listen, the Pope wrote, who take responsibility for their language, are the best antidotes to falsehoods – and journalists bear the greatest weight of that responsibility. “They must remember that the heart of information is not the speed with which it is reported or its audience impact, but persons … ensuring the accuracy of sources and protecting communication are real means of promoting goodness, generating trust, and opening the way to communion and peace” [4].
amount of unevaluated information. … be ready to ask what aspects of life are being neglected, what issues are being ignored, and whether bias or manipulation is involved.” The guide suggests that instead of experiencing media as “one-way communication,” consumers need to use it to start a conversation. “Where media are interactive, you can engage in an actual dialogue. Where they aren’t, you can contact networks, local stations, and newspapers to compliment or complain ...”
TAKE THE PLEDGE: CIVILIZE IT The call to discuss ideas with civility, especially in a presidential election year, has been taken up by the U.S. Conference
HOW CONSUMERS, PARENTS CAN FIGHT THE AGENDA The USCCB’s Committee for Communications released in April its “Family Guide for Using Media,” which can help not only parents, but also consumers at large effectively regulate their consumption of digital and broadcast information, and dialogue about its accuracy and value. “An intelligent use of media can prevent our being dominated by them and enable us instead to measure them by our standards,” the committee wrote. “Reflect on what ethical standards the media are using. What is portrayed and why? What is it saying about human existence … is anything of value also being conveyed? To get the entire picture, finding a variety of sources is especially important, the committee wrote. “Be aware of the potential for receiving partial information or biased views. No communication medium can supply all details about anything. The Internet, in particular, offers a vast
of Catholic Bishops in their pledge project “Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate.” The program asks participants to be a part of rejecting the acrimony surrounding differing viewpoints, with its “non-partisan call to focus on the dignity of all people, even those with whom we disagree, and to put faith in action.” “When personal attacks replace honest debate, no one wins,” the pledge website states. “This kind of attack, no matter the reason, only serves to further divide our communities. As Catholics, we must model a better way.” The Civilize It! pledge focuses on three aspects: civility, clarity and compassion, including “to treat others with respect, and rise above attacks when directed at me … to root my political viewpoints in the Gospel and a well formed conscience, which involves prayer, conversation, study and listening … [and] to encounter others with a tone and posture which affirms that I honor the dignity of others and invites others to do the same.” Pledges can be made as an individual, family or community. The full text of the pledge can be made at wearesaltandlight.org/civilize-it.
READ MORE Want to read these full Church texts for yourself? Find links to all of these documents at TrentonMonitor.com > Special Projects > Sections & Supplements. For guidelines and tips on how to be a force for good on social media, check out our Rules of the Road on TrentonMonitor.com > Special Projects > Sections & Supplements. September 2020 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 13
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on bot-created fabrications with the use of artificial intelligence. In June, Twitter disclosed that 32,242 accounts were permanently removed from service, including three distinct operations they attributed to the People’s Republic of China, Russia and Turkey. “In all instances, accounts were suspended for various violations of our platform manipulation policies,” Twitter posted on its site. Such manipulation can include commercially-motivated spam, attempts to make accounts or content appear more popular or active, and coordinated activity that “attempts to artificially influence conversations through the use of multiple accounts, fake “Each one accounts, automation and/or of us has scripting.” According to the power MIT’s Technology to mitigate Review, Facebook took down close to destructive 2 billion fake accontent by not counts per quarter in 2019. The tech sharing it.” giant’s advanced detection systems are often able to uncover fake accounts as they are created or before they go live. Since July, both Facebook and Twitter have banned thousands of conspiracy theorists based in the United States and removed posts or limited functionality for hundreds of thousands of accounts who espouse similar ideology. A FORCE FOR GOOD It is true that disinformation has been weaponized by a myriad of forces who are aligned with influences across the ideological spectrum. There will be fake news articles, doctored photos and videos, posts that viciously attack others, and comments on posts that reflect extremist ideology and seek to pit us against one another. There will be attempts to demean the dignity of people in all stages of life; there will be attempts to incite hatred and contempt. 14 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE September 2020
But in order to fully succeed in their efforts, they need a catalyst – which society often seems eager to provide. Instead, Catholic Christians can utilize the tools of the Church – the Catechism, teachings from the Holy See, the statements of its bishops – to challenge destructive content in front of the social media community. Staying well-informed about issues through reliable sources and being buoyed by the Gospel gives every person the power to respond in love to the hate that is all too easy to find.