1. THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL TEACHING with regard to THE MEDIA OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION

2. * Following on the model of the Church as Communion, and leading into the Priorities of the Laity.

3. THE CHURCH’S SOCIAL TEACHING ON THE MASS MEDIA

4. USE OF MASS MEDIA  Principles addressed to all  Responsibility of all

5. PRINCIPLES  r r r relevant in other fields  a a a always applicable

6. PRINCIPLES basic to all:  s s s social teaching  a a a areas of activity

7. MASS MEDIA not condemned  products of genius  gifts of God  positive signs of the times

8. PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION These principles have been extracted from two documents:  Communio et Progressio (CP), Pastoral Instruction, 23 May 1971. and  Ethics in Communications (EC), Pontifical Council for Social Communications, 2 June 2000

9. These Principles have been derived from:  WORD OF GOD  NATURE OF THE CHURCH  NATURE OF THE MEDIA  POTENTIAL OF THE MEDIA  SOCIAL ETHICS  EFFECTS OF THE MEDIA ON CIVIL SOCIETY CIVIL SOCIETY

10. THE WORD OF GOD.  1. The communion between the three divine Persons is the source of unity and brotherhood.  2. God took the initiative to communicate himself to us.  3. Communication is the giving of self in love.  4. God the Son is the perfect communicator through his Incarnation.

11. THE WORD OF GOD  5. Jesus Christ shared the truth and life of God with all.  6. The Eucharist is the most intimate form of communion possible.  7. Jesus Christ communicated the Holy Spirit who brings all together in unity.  8. Communication is a moral act.

12. THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH.  1. The Church, as the People of God, promotes unity.  2. Upholds the dignity and rights of the person.  3. Fosters the solidarity of the human community.

13. THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH.  4. Has a mission to the various fields of human endeavour.  5. Seeks dialogue and collaboration.

14. THE NATURE OF THE MEDIA  1. Gifts of God to unite people and help them cooperate in God's plan of salvation.  2. Effective means for cultivating charity among people.  3. Beneficial in promoting understanding and sympathy.

15. THE POTENTIAL OF THE MEDIA  1. Encourage social relations.  2. Contribute to unity, brotherhood and the advancement of people.

16. THE POTENTIAL OF THE MEDIA  3. Improve the conditions of human living.  4. Cooperate in God's work of creation and conservation.

17. SOCIAL ETHICS  1. Communication must be truthful.  2. Media news, culture and entertainment to meet the needs of society.  3. Related to structural and systemic social issues.

18. SOCIAL ETHICS  4. The person and the communityare the measure of the use of the media.  5. Economic and political implications.  6. The media must develop the person fully.

19. THE EFFECTS OF THE MEDIA ON CIVIL SOCIETY  1. Indispensable for the functioning of modern society.  2. Help share knowledge and unify our creative work in building the earthly city.

20. THE EFFECTS OF THE MEDIA ON CIVIL SOCIETY  3. Multiply contacts within society and deepen social consciousness.

21. THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHRISTIANS * THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHRISTIANS

22. DUTIES  1. Work together to ensure that the media contribute to the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God.  2. Exercise free choice in the use of the media.

23. * RESPONSIBILITIES  3. Judge the media by the contribution they make to the common good.  4. Develop a proper understanding of man and our dignity as members of the family of adopted children of God.

24. COMMUNICATORS  1. Come to understand their vocation and mission.  2. Conscience-bound to make themselves competent.  3. Comply with requirements of sincerity, honesty and truthfulness.

25. RECIPIENTS  1. Learn how to interpret the messages of the media accurately.  2. Benefit from them and contribute to life in society.

26. RECIPIENTS  3. Reflection, discussion and dialogue are needed.  4. Jesus is the model and the standard of our communicating.