Pope Benedict XVI's message for the 43rd World Communications Day.

ZE09012309 - 2009-01-23
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-24885?l=english
Press Statement on the Pope's Media Message

"Addressed Primarily, Although Not Exclusively, to the Digital Generation"

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 23, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is the statement Monsignor Paul Tighe, secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, gave today at the press conference that released Benedict XVI's message for the 43rd World Communications Day.

The theme for the day is "New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship."
* * *

This year's message is addressed primarily, although not exclusively, to the digital generation. The digital generation refers in general to those who have grown up with the new ICTs and who use them spontaneously and almost intuitively. Some commentators have used the terms "digital natives" or "born digital" to refer to this cohort and to distinguish them from other users of digital technologies, sometimes called "digital immigrants", who use the new technologies with varying degrees of competence and enthusiasm but whose basic communication skills were developed with an analogical paradigm.

The digital generation has come of age in the world of computers, mobile telephones, text and instant messaging, blogging, platforms for video content, internet chat rooms and on-line social networks. It would be a mistake, however, to see these changes as merely technological; they have also revolutionized the culture of communications. They have changed the ways people communicate, the ways they associate and form communities, the ways by which they learn about the world, the ways in which they engage with political and commercial organizations. Whereas in the past, we tended to see the reader, listener or watcher of media as a passive spectator of centrally generated content, it is clear that today we must understand the audience as more selectively and interactively engaging with a wider range of media. The logic of communications has been radically changed – the focus on the media has been replaced by a concentration on the audience which is increasingly autonomous and deliberative in its consumption of media.

That is why this year's message invites all those who engage with the new media to be attentive to the content they are generating, sharing or drawing to the attention of others. It is inviting them to avoid the creation or distribution of words or images that are abusive or lacking in respect for the dignity or worth of other people. We are all aware of the risks of new forms of cyber-bullying and abusive postings that have emerged in recent years. It is also important that users of the new media are prudent in terms of words or images they distribute concerning themselves – material posted electronically is not easily removed and no one wants to live with a permanent reminder of youthful excesses or ill-advised utterances.

The message is attentive to the reality that the new means of digital communication can be much more invasive and demanding than the traditional means. The message points out the irony of the situation, if the sense of obligation to maintain virtual connectedness were to isolate people from more immediate forms of social interaction with family, friends and colleagues. It also recognizes that the pervasive nature of modern communications practices could be disruptive of the patterns of rest, silence and reflection that are necessary for our well-being.

Building on the biblical concept of all people being created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore being pre-disposed for relationship with others, the message concentrates on the theme of friendship as a point of contact between all people of good will. It celebrates the capacity of the new technologies to foster and support good and healthy relationships and various forms of solidarity. It appeals to friendship as a motive to ensure that the new digital world is truly accessible to all. It finds in friendship a shared reference point with all of humanity that grounds the appeal of the message to promote a culture where there is respect for all and where all are invited to search for truth in dialogue.

In presenting the Pope's message this year, the Pontifical Council is also conscious of the practical implications of the new culture of communications it seeks to understand and relate to as part of its mandate. For this reason, we are also launching the message electronically. The text of the message is being sent to thousands of young Catholics throughout the world and they are being invited to share it with their friends, especially with those friends with whom they are digitally networked. I would like to thank the various Communications Departments and Youth Ministry Departments of the Episcopal Conferences who are working with us on this project.

iNVITING YOU ALL TO A PHOTO EXHIBIT- BE THERE DEVCOM FRESHIES!!

The Development Communication Society and the Development Communication
Department in partnership with the Peace and Conflict Journalism Network
(PECOJON) is organizing a joint photo exhibit entitled “Mindanao War” and
“Lansad 2”. This will run from December 8 – 10 at the Student Center lobby and
11-12 at the AVR1 lobby.

The “Mindanao War” photos are taken by professional photojournalists in their
coverage of the war in Mindanao. These photos have abided by the goal of
PECOJON, which is to “search for uncommon or untold stories that show various
perspectives on the situation”. The exhibit provides the viewer a first hand
glimpse of the reality behind the much-publicized Mindanao conflict and how
these are treated to show truthfulness of the situation. The photos will take
you to a journey of Mindanao war – the overlapping fears, anxiety, threats,
hassles - and the drama of those who are affected. Surely this will give you a
clearer understanding of the conflict, in pictures.

“Lansad 2” is a photo exhibit launching amateur photos of Devcom students with
themes like nature, scenic spots and photo essays. The photos will give you a
fresh feel of the world, of how young eyes look at the present situation.

Please join us on Monday, 3 pm for the exhibit opening, graced by
internationally renowned photojournalist,Mr. Romy Gacad and several manila
based journalists. Mr. Gacad will also speak in a forum on photojournalism on
October 9, 9am at the DevCom AVR, 5th floor, new Aggies building.Gacad is
Filipino veteran photojournalist and a three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee whose
works have appeared on the cover of various international publications
including Time and Newsweek magazines. He is the chief photographer for the
Manila bureau of Agence France-Presse (AFP), the world's oldest established
news agency.

IT'S XAVIER DAYS!!!!

HELLO BLOGGERS OF DC 1!

I hope you are enjoying the celebration of 75th anniversary of Xavier!
At the same time, keep on thinking about our assigned tasks-- do not forget the community map of your village/town/home...
and bring it next week with your own drawing, ok??
Enjoy the holidays, the fun and celebrations and all the days of Xavier's 75th year celebration!

Internet blues!...pls be informed!

May I inform ALL DC 1 bloggers that we cannot yet upload to the moodle (elearn.xu.edu.ph) the reports I told all MDG reporters to upload there--- I was informed that the whole XU internet system is experiencing a slowdown/ or slow connections/ no connection ... and this affects all our communication here!
I will then consider your uploads of reports till Friday of this week Nov. 28, and hopefully, our Internet bles will be solved by then( or before that even!)

So much for e-learning and the Internet--- it is bane and not a boon in these times when learning is supposed to be both virtual and physical...
welcome to our developing world's problems, which include not only the MDG, but also the world of the Internet- which tilts efficiency and ease of communication in favor of developed countries.

Technology, i may say, is still in favor of those in Power.
But we still have people power! So take heart...we can still make/ create Change...
Yes, we can!!

my blog is communication and communication is...

I am amazed at the show of talent, or in some, a non-show of it, but in any which way, I liked what i saw- and I mean the blogs of my students now linked to me, and in a way, linking our many pursuits together...
this is an online journey, it is much like a march- like an assemblage of varied characters walking together towards a path-- and where will that path lead to?? this we can see as we uncover every week the postings of my blog links here and see how much each of us- teacher and student, person and person, human and human, are in every way different, yet in one way common, and here, in this virtual world, we will attempt to find a commonness...
that is what COMMUNICATION is all about- a commonness of meaning or meanings, arrived at some point in each other's sharing, and living in one world- virtual, or otherwise ( in here or there..
let us start the journey now...

A BLOG FOR MY STUDENTS

This blog is dedicated now for my students this semester. I have asked each of them to make a blog and makethe blogger our virtual classroom... so now I am starting off for them to see my posts.

It is the start of the 2nd semester, and the start again of new set of students with new expectations and new learning curves. My two sets of students are on two sides of the academic pole- one set are the new majors, just starting to learn about communication and development, and on the other side are the seniors, all grounded and maybe, calloused, in the teachings on comm and development!!!
This would make for quite an interesting 5 months..,watch out for my posts.

here's what feb 25 means for APO- 22 years na pero nasaan ang pinaghirapan ng edsa?

APO’S Jim and Danny share their thoughts on EDSA at 22
Interviews by Reyma Buan-Deveza
abs-cbnnews.com

In 1986, APO Hiking Society’s “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” became the the unofficial anthem of EDSA-1. Jim Paredes, Danny Javier, and Boboy Garrovillo’s music and actions helped bring down the dictatorship. Today, they continue to remain concerned about what’s happening in the Philippines, although Jim and his family have migrated to Australia.

ABS-CBNnews.com’s Reyma Buan-Deveza talked separately with Danny, and Jim, who is in town for APO’s concert shows, on their thoughts on EDSA at 22
Jim: New ‘EDSA’ must have a different form

What does 22 years of EDSA mean to you?

Well it’s a bitter-sweet experience. It is very sweet because what happened 22 years ago is real as today; that people still have this great reservoir of goodwill in wanting to change the Philippines. But bitter because of our leaders. In a way, we have failed ourselves.

Could there should be another EDSA?

If we are going to have another EDSA, I think it will have to be rethought. It might have to take a different form, and the arrows must be directed not just to people, but to the system itself that perpetuates bad government.

What do you think about NBN witness Rodolfo ‘Jun’ Lozada?

I think Jun Lozada is great. I think he is an ordinary person, flawed like all of us. But he was able to shore up the little integrity that he felt he still has. And to me, he stands 10-feet tall.

I believe him.

Do you think “GMA is evil?”

I think that is a very strong word. I believe everybody has a saving grace, but at this point, GMA doesn’t seem like to want to save herself.

What to you is communal action?

Communal action is very interesting because it might mean rethinking people power; that you know it can’t just be the power of numbers; it has to be the power of conversion.

How do you view EDSA in light of recent political scandals?

In many ways,things have not changed, and that is the sad fact about it. Because if things do not change, that means it’s in a dysfunctional state.

As I said, we need to think of change in a systemic kind of way.

Do you believe that the spirit of EDSA is still alive?

Of course.

What is your message to the youth and to fellow artists?

The more things change, the more things are the same, as the saying goes. I truly believe that to the young people, this is your world now. While we, your older people, are still alive, I think it’s important for you guys to solve put , to solve things with finality in the Philippines.

No more passing on to the next generation this is it.

To the artists, well, you know you have your own process, and you know it’s very hard to overcome cowardice because cowardice is a natural state. When you are an artist, you try to look papogi all the time. But you know that taking risks is what being a true artist is all about.

So if you really feel that your calling is to express yourself politically, or express your outrage, or express your feelings about the situation, to hell with looking good and looking pa-pogi and all of that. Sometimes you have to be true to yourself.

What lessons learned then can people apply now?

That if you really want change, you cannot hope for it. You have to really show up and do it. It’s a very proactive kind of thing that you have to do.

It’s not something that you wait for, it’s not something that will be delivered to you. It’s not something that you will win; it is something that you have to cause to happen.

Danny: ‘It’s ironic. To become a hero, you must
speak the truth, or you work abroad’

What does 22 years of EDSA mean to you?

Hindi pa settled. This is really the Marcos legacy. It would probably take five presidents to restore democracy in the country. You see, democracy can’t evolve overtime. What has transpired is just part of the process. Kaya lang mainipin ang tao nagawa na namin hindi naman tapos.

Do you think there should be another people power?

I’ve been asked that question, and I’ve refused to answer. Kasi para mong tinanong na: madi-discover pa ba ulit ni Magellan ang Pilipinas? O maipapanganak ka pa ba ulit?

I don’t know. I cannot speculate the future. EDSA 1 was a miracle. You see, life is full of small miracles, but as to certainty, as to which direction it will lead, that I don’t know.

What do you think about NBN star witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada?

Lozada to me is a member of the cast. What important is the truth. What’s ironic to me is, to become a hero in this country, it’s either, you speak the truth, or you work abroad.

But speaking the truth is part of the norm.

Kung kasinungalingan ang sinasabi ni Lozada, bakit siya pini-persecute? Bakit ang daming sumubok na pigilan ang ginagawa niya? Kung may sinisiwalat siyang katiwalian, bakit nangunguna ang gobyerno sa pagpigil sa kanya. Kung may pagkilos?

Una, ang pagkilos ay dapat tanungin natin kung ano ang katotohan at kung ano ang katotohanan. Katungkulin natin na siguraduhin ang kabuhayan, ang pagkatao ng nagsasabi ng totoo, ng pamilya, ng sinumang sumisiwalat sa katatotohanan para kung may ibang gustong lumabas at magsasalita din.

Do you believe him?

Maniniwala ako sa katotohanan. Sinumang nagsisiwalat ng katotohanan ay dapat protesksyunan. Hindi lang si Lozada; dalawa na sila.

What is communal action?

(First posted: 2/25/2008 4:48:10 p.m.)

Communal action is agreed upon by everybody, the whole community.
Isa lang ang problema ko sa call for truth. Dapat kung halimbawa obispo ka na nakatanggap, sabihin mo ang totoo na ako si Obispo, nakatanggap ng pera mula kay Arroyo.