Leave it to an American Pontif to tell the assembled members of world media that free speech and a free press are not just essential but that it “does not seek consensus at all costs, does not use aggressive words, does not follow the culture of competition, and never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it.”
The media, he said, must take up the challenge to lead the world out of such a “Tower of Babel,” through the words we use and the style we adopt.
“Communication is not only the transmission of information,” he said, “but it is also the creation of a culture, of human and digital environments that become spaces for dialogue and discussion.”
He hasn’t lost his new Pope smell yet, and he’s going on about how the Press should seek truth and not use divisive language. So, do journalism. And do so with good intention and a peaceful (and unbiased?) heart. Something like that?
And he gently urged the media to “disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred.”
Talk about a challenge.
The majority of newsrooms are filled with the product of J-Schools, which are run by atypical left-wingers whose core principles are partisan bitterness and resentment. They don’t emerge from that unscathed, and for the record, I’m not a journalist; I can be edgy, but not because I don’t pretend to be unbiased. I am biased. I believe in low taxes, individual liberty, and free markets. Oh, and free speech, even if it gets aggressive – assuming it isn’t inciting violence. We’re not doing that here.
Ultimately, the type of language concerns me less than the pursuit of open debate and honesty about your filters. If you’re a liberal hack, admit it and then say your peace. Whenever possible, write and speak as yourself, instead of under a pseudonym or anonymously.
Hiding who you are to avoid taking responsibility for your words diminishes their value.
As for Pope Leo, rumors upon his elevation that he is another woke pope remain unconfirmed. There is potential (more rumors) that he might allow a return to the Latin Mass if desired. And the nod to free speech suggests a step back from the misinformation-disinformation forms of censorship.
It’s too early to tell, but not a bad start for someone who has that level of global attention and interest, not that any of the fake Catholics like Nancy Pelosi for Joe Biden will much care. Politics is their religion. Catholicism is just a mask they wear when they think it matters.
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