Being the most powerful element influencing the human person, the use of media must be guided by Christian principles.
Media’s Target: Mind, Will and Heart
Unlike any other product in the world economy, which aims to provide goods and services for the physical body and all other material needs, the target of media is the spiritual faculties of the human person: our Mind, Will and Heart.
How do media aim at our spiritual faculties?
All forms of Media try to give information in a convincing way so that we may believe, illustrate its effects that we may be persuaded to act, and show witness that we may follow with our behaviour. The influence on the individual person, family, group, community and society can have lasting effects.
Subtle approach of Media
The approach of Media to reach its intended audience is subtle. We realize its effects, positive or negative, after constant exposure. The level of exposure can be determined by the number of hours during the day that a person watches television and movies, listens to the radio and music, surfs the Internet, and reads magazines, comics, newspapers and books.
Not all exposures can be dangerous since Mass Media and New Media are also means to obtain needed information and current updates, get new ideas, enhance our understanding and appreciation of life and the world, make fast and economical contacts, and even nourish our spirituality. It takes maturity to determine if one is moderately or over-exposed: and the criteria could be based on the short and long term effects of media exposure on the person. Honesty to oneself is needed as well as self-discipline since the first one affect is the person and those around him/her.
Every human activity starts in the brain
Anything that would shape a person starts in the starts in the brain, the seat of our spiritual faculties. An idea enters the brain through our senses, primarily the eyes and ears that are exposed to Mass Media: radio, television, film, newspapers, and magazines; and New Media: Internet, mobile phone, PDA (personal digital assistant, and iPod.
Sanctification of the mind, will and hear
Guarding our senses becomes a necessity if we want to live normal and healthy life in this world of information technology. Consequently, our mind will be protected from undesirable exposure, our will from destructive behavior, and our heart from inordinate attachment. We will experience lasting peace and joy that the Risen Christ has promised to those who believe and follow his teaching.
Blessed James Alberione had recommended the sanctification of mind, will and heart at the beginning of the 20th Century when he started the Pauline Family. He already recognized the Mass Media as gifts of God to humanity and therefore, must be used for God’s glory and the good of all. He founded the Society of St. Paul for Priests and Brothers, and the Daughters of St. Paul for Sisters, to work for the Christianization of media at the service of people. The Church, through the Second Vatican Council, affirmed the teaching of Blessed Alberione with the Decree on the Means of Social Communication Inter Mirifica, in 1963. To ensure that all peoples are reminded of the proper use of media, a yearly celebration of World Communications Day has been instituted since 1966. This year’s theme is “Children and the Media: A Challenge for Education”.