Nairobi, 26 January, 2025 / 11:16 PM
A member of the Pious Society of the Daughters of St. Paul (FSP/Pauline Sisters) in Africa has called for media literacy especially among audiences, warning about the potential of media to “defy” people’s intellect, and to convert human beings into sellable commodities.
In her presentation during a one-day workshop that FSP members organized on Saturday, January 25, Sr. Roselyne Sophy spoke about the dangers of media if “left untamed”.
She emphasized the need for respect for human dignity, and careful consumption of media content, saying, “Media inform, entertain, delight, and annoy us. They move our emotions, defy our intellect, and insult our intelligence.”
She added, “Left untamed, media reduce human beings to mere commodities sold to the highest bidder.”.
Reflecting on past media practices, Sr. Sophy noted that traditional media once united families and communities, offering a level of control over information. “Today, media have saturated our daily lives, often unnoticed, yet their influence remains profound,” she said.
Sr. Sophy urged communicators to instill values that guard against the misuse and abuse of media.
Pauline Sisters organized the January 25 workshop to mark The Jubilee of the World of Communications. At the event that was held on the theme “Communicating Hope in the Digital Space”, other sisters of the congregation made presentations on different topics including communication and spirituality, the influence of media in today’s world, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In her opening remarks, the Directress of Paulines Publications Africa (PPA) highlighted the timeliness of the workshop, emphasizing its relevance amidst the rapid technological advancements shaping the world today.
“Our theme today is timely and essential,” Sr. Praxides Nafula said during the event that was held at the Paulines Communications Center Hall in Westlands, Nairobi.
She added, “In an era where information flows at lightning speed, our interactions are increasingly mediated by technology. We stand at a crossroads in technology and the values we choose to uphold in our communications.”
The Kenyan-born FSP member spoke about Pope Francis' reflection on the 2025 Jubilee of the World of Communications, emphasizing the Holy Father’s call to become “communicators of hope.”
“Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts,” she said, urging participants at the workshop to disarm communication from generating fear and prejudice but to foster dialogue that uplifts and inspires.
In her presentation on the topic “Communication at the Crossroads”, Sr Olga Massango appealed to Catholic Journalists to be “heralds of hope that does not disappoint” as they continue using the digital space during the Jubilee Year.
Sr. Massango spoke at length about the transformative impact of modern media, making reference to St. Pope John Paul II’s 2005 Apostolic Letter The Rapid Development.
The Mozambican Sister said that the rapid development of communication and the subsequent invention of different means of communication places the Church at the crossroads, and emphasized the need for Journalists to be “heralds of hope”
“The Jubilee of the World of Communications offers an opportunity to every journalist to renew his commitment to be the herald of hope that does not disappoint,” Sr. Massango said.
Highlighting the “dual potential of media”, Sr. Massango said, “Media can either foster understanding and peace or, if misused, become a destructive force.”
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She stressed the ethical responsibilities tied to communication, quoting Pope John Paul II’s assertion that truthful and free communication is vital for promoting integral human development.
“Media must uphold human dignity and serve the common good,” she told participants at the one-day workshop and cautioned that ethical responsibility becomes critical amidst rapid technological advancements.
Sr. Massango emphasized the role of media professionals in shaping culture and society. She encouraged them to reflect on the content they produce, ensuring it contributes positively to moral and ethical values. She said, “The choices made in media can lead to vastly different outcomes for humanity.”
“A good communicator ensures that those who listen, read, or watch can connect with the best part of themselves and engage meaningfully,” she said.
Sr. Deborah Lupinga discussed the spiritual dimension of communication, urging Christian communicators to remain open to God, themselves, and others. She emphasized that the communicators’ message must be grounded in the Word of God and lived authentically.
“Technology cuts distance and connects people, but human beings determine the content and ways of communication. Spirituality is in people, not in technology,” Sr. Lupinga said.
She posed questions for reflection from Progression et Communio, a pastoral instruction of the Roman Catholic Church, issued by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications on 23 May 1971.
“How can one avoid allowing communications made indirectly and through machinery to weaken direct human contact, especially when these communications take the form of pictures and images? When the media invite men to escape into fantasy, what can be done to bring them back to present reality?” she posed.
On Artificial Intelligence, Sr. Mary Wangui Mutahi reflected on the history of the new technology saying, “As we look to the future, the possibilities for AI seem boundless. Yet, this journey reminds us of our responsibility as stewards of creation.”
Sr. Wangui added, “AI is not just a technological achievement. It is a testament to the divine gift of creativity bestowed upon humanity. Let us approach AI with wisdom, ensuring it serves the common good and aligns with God’s purpose for humanity.”
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