“The channels of social communications are dispensable to the smooth functioning of the modern society.” This sentence is taken from the church document Communio et Progressio. True enough in our days these instruments play a very vital role in all aspect of our modern world activities. They are not only mere objects for leisure, fashion or whatever you may call it.; more than that they are of great use in different fields that needs communication such as business, commerce, politics, schools, churches, etc. These make communication easier and more comfortable. In this 1973 Document of the Catholic Church I am in particular way struck by the definition of communication which is: “it is more than the expression of ideas and indications of emotions. At its most profound level it is the giving of self to love.” This definition is precisely inspired by “Christ revealing himself as the perfect communicator.” He came to the Earth taking the form of man to be in communion with them. He dealt with man according to their present predicaments, tradition and environment. Furthermore the highly act and very beautiful meaning of communication Jesus shown us has resulted to a progressive congregation of faithful people namely, the Catholic and Orthodox Church. In like manner, any society where mass media or instruments social communications are properly use for the promotion of unity and communion, progress is inevitable. On the contrary, society where media or instruments social communications are not properly use there would be disunity, and hence progress is impossible. This can be proven by looking precisely to our country. Yes I strongly believed that corruption and lack of patriotism are the cause of poverty. But, can we not consider the abuse of the instruments of social communication as one factor of poverty? The primary concern of mass media and other means of communication in this country is profit. The people behind this business are motivated by money, commercial is their first goal. Although there are still some that really promotes human values and human dignity, majority still geared for money. How can we be informed truthfully when media is trying to deceive us? Look how commercials trick us. Which is better Pepsi, 7up, Tropicana, Mt. Dew, or Gatorade? Each claim to be the best but, aren’t all these belongs to one company? So as in the case of shampoo; Sunsilk and Clear with Creamsilk are under the same company. How can we be in communion as a nation, if agencies of mass media are not united themselves? How come there is such a word such as network war? Much of these deceptions we need information, we need education, we need communication. As a dominantly Christian catholic country the principles elaborated in Communio et Progressio are suitable to adopt as basis for the proper use of the means for social communication. We have the rights of public opinion “which is an essential expression of human nature in society.” Mass media is a good avenue for public opinion.
We have the rights of information. We need to be informed on the socio-political realities in order for us to have a proper organization of our lives. We have the right of education. Mass media plays an important role in the education of the people. People are susceptible to whatever information projected on print ads, radios, or television. Hence there is the need to be vigilant on whatever info being presented.
The advancement of the means of social communication gives more opportunities and obligations to people. It is also a good avenue to demonstrate the talents and skill of man. It is very useful in connecting people together. The moment they are connected they may be led into a deeper relationship, to be in communion, to be in solidarity. If we make good use of these God given gifts I guess there would be no disunity. If all are in communion through the instruments of social communication there is progress.
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