Quality television programmes for children
The Holy Father sent a Message dated 18 April to Dr Emilio Rossi,
President of the Catholic Union of the Italian Press, at the end of its
Congress in Rome on Children and the Media: 100 meeting points.
The Pope appealed to the men and women who write and produce the scripts
for TV and films to study the needs of children who sometimes spend more
time watching TV than being with their parents. The Pope asked for good
programmes for children. Indeed, to protect young children "it is
not enough to keep them from watching television; instead, they should
be offered better quality media products, especially television
programmes, that do not need to be forbidden". Here is a
translation of the Holy Father's Message on Children and the Media.
To Dr Emilio Rossi
President of the Catholic Union
of the Italian Press
1. At the end of the initiative Children and the media: 100
meeting points, promoted by the Catholic Union of the Italian Press
of which you are President, I would like to greet you and all the
participants, and express my great appreciation for all that your
association does.
The many conferences on the topic of "Children and the
Media" that are being held in many Italian cities using the variety
of media for the presentations have helped to give the agents and users
of the media a better idea of the widespread impact of the media's
presence in society. Such a massive presence raises new problems and
presents a real challenge for families, educators, operators and all who
have at heart the future of the young generations.
Produce quality television programmes for children
2. The rapid diffusion of the media undeniably offers children
greater possibilities for learning and knowledge. It is right to
recognize and appreciate these positive elements, although certain
problems have emerged that call for your careful reflection.
Television often becomes the main formative agent for children,
impressing on them unhealthy values and information that influence their
development negatively, especially when they spend a great deal of time
in front of the screen which virtually takes the place of their parents.
While everyone seems to agree that all forms of exploitation of minors
by the media should be banned, it should be recognized that few special
programmes are actually designed for them. It is therefore urgent to
produce programmes which take into account the sensitivity and
educational needs of children and respect the pedagogical dynamics and
ethical values.
Preventing children from watching TV is not enough: offer decent
programmes
3. We should consider that children, on their own or with their
parents, also watch ordinary programmes. It is useful to rate the
programmes on the scale of how they confirm or depart from family
values, but in no way should it mean that families are the only ones who
need to exercise responsibility. Indeed, it is not enough to keep them
from watching television; instead, they should be offered better quality
media products, especially television programmes, that do not need to
be forbidden. Programmes are needed that foster personal
development, give a sense of personal goodness and help people even to
face life's difficult moments without trauma or distortion. Above all,
it is urgently necessary to promote through the media values and
personalities who incarnate the fundamental truths about the human
person and the important questions they raise. Among other things,
religious truths should be carefully presented so they be seen to offer
suitable answers to the deeper questions a person asks as he is growing
up.
Adults should help children express all the good in their hearts
4. At the beginning of my Pontificate, in the context of the
International Year of the Child, I said that there are enormous
possibilities and means that adults can use to teach and entertain their
children. Grown-ups can stimulate the minds of children to listen, lull
them to sleep or—God forbid—poison them irremediably (cf, Message
for World Day of Social Communications, 27 May 1979, ORE, 28
May 1979, p. 9). This is a serious responsibility and here we must apply
Christ's harshest words as a warning against scandalizing the little
ones and the weak (cf. Mt 18,6).
Paying attention to children in the context of the media turns
out to be one of the important proofs of a great civilization and its
progress. It is an exalted work to which all must contribute in accord
with their specialized role and skills. This work is part of that social
pedagogy through which we can shape the new generations and help them to
express all the good that lies hidden in their hearts, without
harming it or making it dry up.
From this point of view, the new media such as the Internet
and the multimedia technology have an extraordinary potential: they
are more widespread and interactive, and demand additional skills and
call for the exercise of responsibility on the part of the organisms
that are deputed to look after the common good. With the coming of these
new media we find ourselves at a "decisive gateway", as I
recalled in my Message for the 36th World Communications Day to be
celebrated next 12th of May, dedicated to the theme: The Internet: a
New Forum for Proclaiming the Gospel. We must "cross this
threshold bravely" with both discernment and initiative, if we want
to guarantee to future generations an environment that is safe from
manipulation and abuse.
Create a constructive relationship between children and the media
5. Lastly, I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to
those who exercise responsibility in the world of communications. I ask government
leaders and institutions for the protection of children to
make respect for the rights of children the primary and indispensable
criterion in evaluating how the media operate. I ask parents to
exercise careful attention to how their children are being educated,
both at home and in social groups. I ask media communicators and
in particular editors and producers to invest in programmes that
are good for children not forgetting how children think and act. As I
thank the representatives of the Catholic Union of the Italian Press for
what they are doing, I encourage them to continue to involve more people
in promoting a new, richer social and cultural season that will give
life to a constructive and careful relationship between the media and
children. May Jesus' special love for children (cf. Mk 10,13-16), whom
he showed to be an example of how to enter his Kingdom (cf. Mt 18,3-4),
be an example and an incentive to each one to encourage communications
that are appropriate for men and women, attentive to the common good and
especially to the good of children.
May the Virgin Mary be close with motherly care to all who are
involved in such an important mission that has a huge impact on the
formation of young people. As I assure you of my prayers for each of
you, I cordially impart my Blessing to you.
From the Vatican, 18 April 2002.
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