Media

Pope Francis Calls Out Media: Stop ‘Giving Just One Side’ 

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Nick Givas Media And Politics Reporter
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Pope Francis condemned the mainstream media for sensationalism Saturday, and urged journalists to stop “giving just one side” in their reporting.

Francis praised the press Saturday for performing a vital function in society, but called their sensationalist style a “very serious sin.” He is planning to center his upcoming communications message on the battle against “fake news,” and the crisis it’s creating throughout the world, according to The Guardian.

He was speaking to members of the Italian Periodical Press Union and the Italian Federation of Catholic Weeklies and said the news media is “dominated by the anxiety of speed” and  “by the drive for sensationalism,” according to the Vatican press office.

“You shouldn’t fall into the ‘sins of communication:’ disinformation, or giving just one side, calumny that is sensationalized, or defamation, looking for things that are old news and have been dealt with and bringing them to light today,” Francis said

He called for journalists to take a calmer approach to the news in order to give readers the opportunity for deeper reflection.

“There is an urgent need for news communicated with serenity, precision and completeness, with a calm language, so as to favor a fruitful reflection,” he concluded.

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