NOTES FROM THE
26 DECREE ON THE MEANS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
Vatican II, Inter Mirifica, 4 December, 1963
VATICAN COUNCIL II
THE CONCILIAR AND POST CONCILIAR DOCUMENTS
GENERAL EDITOR
AUSTIN FLANNERY, O.P.
1981 /Edition
Chapter I
It is the Church's birthright to use and own any of these media which are necessary
to useful for the formation of Christians and for pastoral activity. #3
It is essential that all those involved should form a correct conscience on
the use of the media, especially with regard to certain issues, which are particularly
controversial today. #5
...the content of the communication be true and--within the limits set by justice
and charity--complete. Further, it should be communicated honestly and properly.
#5
If the moral order is fully and faithfully observed, it leads man to full perfection
and happiness. #6
Public opinion exercises enormous influence nowadays over the lives, private
or public, of all citizens, no matter what their walk in life. #8
If they are to obey the moral law, those who use the media ought to keep themselves
informed …take appropriate steps to direct and form their consciences so that
they may more readily resist less wholesome influences and profit more fully
from the good. #9
Those who are at the receiving end of the media, and especially the young,
should learn moderation and discipline in their use of them. #10
A special responsibility for the proper use of the means of social communication
rests on journalists, writers, actors, designers, producers, exhibitors, distributors,
operators, sellers, critics-all those, in a word, who are involved in the making
and transmission of communications in any way whatever. It is clear that a very
great responsibility rests on all of these people in today's world: ...they
have power to direct mankind along a good path or an evil path by the information
they impart and the pressure they exert. #11
They should ensure that religious features are entrusted to serious and competent
persons and are handled with proper respect. #11
It is for the civil authority, in its own domain, to defend and safeguard –
especially in relation to the press – a true and just freedom of information,
for the progress of modern society demands it. #12
Special measure should be taken to protect adolescents from publications and
entertainments harmful to them. #12
Chapter II
Pastors of souls should be particularly zealous in this field, since it is
closely linked with their task of preaching the Gospel. #13
The production and screening of films …One should take steps to ensure that
it contributes to the human and moral formation of its audiences. #14
Priests, religious and laity should be trained at once to meet the needs…
# 15
It would be shameful if by their inactivity Catholics allowed the word of God
to be silenced or obstructed by the technical difficulties which these media
present… # 17
…in the field of social communication more effective, a day is to be set
aside each year in every diocese…#18
27 PASTORAL INSTRUCTION ON THE MEANS OF SOCIAL COMMUNICATION
P. C. I. S. C., Communio et Progressio, 29 January, 1971
The unity and advancement of men living in society: these are the chief aims
of social communication and of all the means it uses ...the way men live and
think is profoundly affected by the means of communication. #1
It will therefore be the task of Bishops and their conference and,...while
they do this, they will keep in mind the unity of the Church. #4
...as a result of exchanges of views and cooperation with such men, the vast
potential that lies in the means of social communication will be made good and
this for the advancement of all. #5
Part One - The Christian View of the Means of Social Communication: Basic Points
of Doctrine
The means of social communication, even though they are addressed to individuals,
reach and affect the whole of society. #6
...help men to share their knowledge and to unify their creative work. #7
...by creating man in his own image, God has given him a share in his creative
power. #7
In the Christian faith, the unity and brotherhood of man are the chief aims
of all communication...#8
...social communication can contribute a great deal to human unity. If, however,
men's minds and hearts are ill disposed, if good will is not there, this outpouring
of technology may produce an opposite effect, so that there is less understanding
and more discord, and as a result evils are multiplied. Too often we have to
watch social communications used to contradict or corrupt the fundamental values
of human life. #9
While he was on earth Christ revealed himself as the perfect communicator ...He
preached the divine message without fear or compromise. He adjusted to his people's
way of talking and to their patterns of thought. And he spoke out of the predicament
of their time. #11
Communication is more than the expression of ideas and the indication of emotion
....it is the giving of self in love. #11
All men of good will, then, are impelled to work together to ensure that the
media of communication do in fact contribute to the pursuit of truth and the
speeding up of progress. #13
Whoever wants to see the media take their allotted place in the history of
Creation, ...He must also have a sound knowledge both of the true nature of
social communication and the tools at its service. #15
"Recipients" are those who, for their worn purpose, read, listen
to, or view the various media. #15
The total output of the media in any given area should be judged by the contribution
it makes to the common good. Its news, culture and entertainment should meet
the growing needs of society. The news of something that has happened must be
given and so too must the background of the event, so that people can understand
society's problems and work for their solution. A proper balance must be kept
not only between hard news, educational material and entertainment but also
between the light and the more serious forms of that entertainment. # 16
Every communication must comply with certain essential requirements, and these
are sincerity, honesty and truthfulness. Good intentions and a clear conscience
do not ...make a communication sound and reliable. A communication must state
the truth. #17
Part Two – The Contribution of the Communications Media to Human Progress
Chapter I
The Work of the Media in Human Society
The swift advances of the means of social communication tear down the barriers
that time and space have erected between men. They can make for greater understanding
and closer unity. #20
The communications media can be seen as powerful instruments for progress.
#21
I. Public Opinion
Public opinion is an essential expression of human nature organized in a society.
This opinion is formed in the following way. In everyone there is an innate
disposition to give vent to opinions, attitudes and emotions in order to reach
a general acceptance on convictions and customs. #25
If public opinion is to emerge in the proper manner, it is absolutely essential
that there be freedom to express ideas and attitudes. In accordance with the
express teaching of the Second Vatican Council it is necessary unequivocally
to declare that freedom of speech for individuals and groups must be permitted
so long as the common good and public morality be not endangered. #26 (34 Gaudium
et spes, no 59).
The process of promoting what is sometimes called a "propaganda campaign,"
with a view to influencing public opinion, is justified only when it serves
the truth, when its objectives and methods accord with the dignity of man,..
#29
Some types of propaganda are inadmissible. These include those that harm the
public interest or allow of no public reply. Any propaganda should be rejected
which deliberately misrepresents the real situation or distorts men's minds
with half-truths, selective reporting, or serious omission, and which diminishes
man's legitimate freedom of decision. # 30
The opinion of the majority, however, is not necessarily the best or closest
to the truth. Public opinion, moreover, changes often. # 31
II. The Right to be Informed and to Inform
Freedom of opinion and the right to be informed go hand in hand. Pope John
XXIII
A. Access to the Sources and Channels of News
Modern man cannot do without information that is full, consistent, accurate
and true. #34
With the right to be informed goes the duty to seek information. Information
does not simply occur; it has to be sought. #34
Society, at all levels, requires information if it is to choose the right course.
# 35
Those whose job it is to give the news have a most difficult and responsible
role to play. They face formidable obstacles and these obstacles will sometimes
include persons interested in concealing the truth. # 36
Those who have to keep the public informed must give the news quickly, if it
is to appear fresh and interesting. Competition also obliges them to do this,
and speed is often won at the price of accuracy ....a communicator must remain
faithful to the truth. #39
Communicators must hold the wandering attention of a harried and hurried public
by vivid reporting ...they must not give way to the temptation of making the
news sensational in such a way that they risk distorting it – by taking it out
of context or by exaggerating it out of all proportion. # 40
...a rapid and clear correction should follow any mistake or misrepresentation
that has found its way into a report. # 41
There is the right of truth which guard the good name both of men and of societies.
There is the right of privacy which protects the private life of families and
individuals. 41. Information "should be communicated honestly and with
propriety. This means that in the gathering and in the publication of news the
moral law and the legitimate rights and dignity of man should be upheld."
Intermirifica, (D.26), no. 5. There is the right of secrecy which obtains
if necessity or professional duty or the common good itself required it. Indeed,
whenever public good is at stake, discretion and discrimination and careful
judgment should be used in the preparation of news. #42
The reporting of violence and brutality demands a special care and tact . ...there
is a danger of perverting the image of human life. It is also possible that
such descriptions generate an attitude of mind and, according to many experts,
a psychosis which escapes the control of the very forces that unleashed it.
All this may leave violence and savagery as the accepted way of resolving conflict.
#43
III. Education, Culture and Leisure
Simple entertainment, too, has a value of its own. It lightens the burden of
daily problems and it occupies men's leisure. But recipients should exercise
self-control. They must not allow themselves to be so beguiled by the charms
of the media's products or by the curiosity that these arouse that they neglect
urgent duties or simply waste time. # 52
The media are themselves new factors in contemporary culture, serving as they
do large numbers of people at the same time. But as well as enriching culture,
they can occasionally degrade it. They often play for the applause of the lowest
cultural levels of their audience. And because they take so much of modern man's
time, they can easily divert him from higher and more profitable cultural pursuits.
#53
An unrelieved diet of productions geared to the lowest cultural level within
a population would tend to debase the taste of those who have already attained
a higher level. # 53
IV. Forms of Artistic Expression
The media of social communication do more than present the traditional forms
of artistic expression, they themselves create new ones. # 54
V. Advertising
The importance of advertising is steadily on the increase in modern society.
It makes its presence felt everywhere; its influence is unavoidable. #59
If harmful or utterly useless goods are touted to the public, if false assertions
are made about the goods for sale, if less admirable human tendencies are exploited,
those responsible for such advertising harm society and forfeit the good name
and credibility . ...unremitting pressure to buy articles of luxury can arouse
false wants that hurt both individuals and families by making them ignore what
they really need. And those forms of advertising which, without shame, exploit
the sexual instincts simply to make money or which seek to penetrate into the
subconscious recesses of the mind in a way that threatens the freedom of the
individual, those forms of advertising must be shunned. It is therefore desirable
that advertisers make definite rules for themselves lest their sales methods
affront human dignity or harm the community. # 60
...a judicious use of advertising can stimulate developing countries to improve
their standard of living. #60
CHAPTER II
The Media: The Best Conditions for Their Proper Working
A. The Recipients
The more communicators remember that beyond the lifeless instruments which
pass on their words and images are countless living men and women, the more
satisfaction they will get from their work and the better they will help others.
The more they get to know their audience, the more they understand it and appreciate
it, the more they will make what they communicate suit those who receive it.
#72
II. OPPORTUNITIES AND OBLIGATIONS
A. Communicators
When they come to choose the subjects for the productions, communicators will
attempt to match all the needs of their public. They will be scrupulous in seeing
that every relevant group is fairly represented... they have to try to foresee
the kind of audience they serve ...dialogue must not ignore the age, culture
and social background of the participants. # 74
...you are obliged to study the facts, the events, the opinions, the current
interest, the thought of the surrounding environment.. Because factual information
provides a public service...#75
Communicators should not allow themselves to forget that the nature of the
mass media makes their audience a vast one. While they must keep faith with
their artistic integrity, they should at the same time remember both their power
and the grave responsibilities it brings with it ...they have been given a rare
chance to promote the happiness and progress of men. #76
Critics have a commanding role in getting communicators to maintain the highest
standards of integrity and service...#78
The founding of professional associations for communicators is most valuable.
They provide a forum when opinions and experiences can be exchanged. #79
In order to survive and to expand, the means of social communication require
reliable financial backing... these investors should not exercise any undue
pressure that might distort the proper liberty of the communicators, the artist
or what we have called the recipients. #80
B. Recipients
The recipients can do more to improve the quality of the media than is generally
realized; so their responsibility to do this is all the greater. If they do
not insist on expressing their view, if they are content with a merely passive
role, all the efforts of the communicators to establish an uninhibited dialogue
will be useless. # 81
Recipients can find strength in unity. There exists no reason why they should
not work closely together. They can band themselves into associations just as
communicators have been advised to do. # 83
III. COOPERATION
A. Cooperation Between Citizens and the Civil Authorities
The media are there for the good of everyone and to serve everyone. # 84
...the task of the law-makers to legislate about the media ....the media must
have the support of law so that they can survive. Cultural and human values
require protection. Religious liberty in the use of the media should be guaranteed.
#87
In some cases, the state may have to intervene and set up these advisory boards
to supervise the media. # 88
As far as possible, the law should protect the young from what can do them
permanent psychological or moral harm. It is the task of legislation in this
field to give the necessary support to the family and the school in educating
the young. # 89
C. Cooperation Between Nations
Those forms of aid which help emerging nations to develop their own means of
social communications are of great importance. # 92
""Development," said Pope Paul VI, "is the new name for
peace" 48. Countries that are well equipped should provide technical assistance
to those which are not ...responsibilities for the common good do not end at
their national frontiers. #93
It goes without saying that the aid given to developing countries can never
be at the expense of their own cherished traditions, of their culture and art
forms, for these are rich in human significance.
D. Cooperation Between Christians, All Believers and All Men of Good Will
When their faith gives them real inspiration, people of different religions
can render notable service to social communications.
The Vatican Council suggested the establishment of World Communications Day.
Every man who believes in God is invited to spend one particular day every year
to pray and think about the future and the problems of the media. # 100
PART THREE
THE COMMITMENT OF CATHOLICS IN THE MEDIA
By the Second Vatican Council Catholics have been asked to consider still more
carefully and in the light of the Faith what new work and responsibility the
modern means of social communication place on them. #101
Chapter I
The Contribution of Catholics to Social Communication
If Catholics are to be of service to means of social communication and to act
so that these may serve humanity's ends, it goes without saying that it is in
the spiritual sphere that the Church can best help. # 101
...news editors and newscasters not to overlook news items about religious
life which will interest their audience. They can give the religious dimension
to human life . ...they aim to give a service which will earn the sympathy of
their colleagues simply by its quality. # 103
As representatives of the Church, bishops, priests, religious, and laity are
increasingly asked to write the press, or appear on radio and television, or
to collaborate in filming. They are warmly urged to undertake this work... #
106
Chapter II
The Contribution of the Communications Media to Catholics
I. Public Opinion and a Closer Communications in the Life of the Church.
The Church looks for ways of multiplying and strengthening the bonds of union
between her members. For this reason, communication and dialogue among Catholics
are indispensable. # 114
A. Dialogue Within the Church
Since the Church is a living body, she needs public opinion in order to sustain
a giving and taking between her members. # 115
Catholics should be fully aware of the real freedom to speak their minds which
stems from a "'feeling for the faith" and from love. # 116
...free dialogue within the Church does no injury to her unity and solidarity.
There should be a deep love for the Church and a compelling desire for its unity.
Christ made love the sign by which men can recognize his true Church and therefore
his true followers. # 117
...only those doctrines may be attributed to the Church which are declared
to be such by her authentic Magisterium. # 118
...new opinions circulating among theologians, at times circulate too soon
and in the wrong places. Such opinions, which must not be confused with the
authentic, doctrine of the Church, should be examined critically. #118
When ecclesiastical authorities are unwilling to give information or are unable
to do so, then rumor is unloosed, and rumor is not a bearer of the truth but
carries dangerous half-truths. #121
B. Dialogue Between the Church and the World.
The Church does not speak and listen to her own members alone; her dialogue
is with the whole world. # 122
...The mission of those with responsible positions in the Church to announce,
without fail or pause the full truth, by the means of social communication,
so as to give a true picture of the Church and her life . ...a failure to use
them amount to "burying the talent given by God." # 123
II. The Use of the Media for Giving the Good News
Christ commanded the apostles and the successors to "teach all nations,".58
Christ showed himself to be the perfect Communicator, while the Apostles used
what means of social communication were available in the time. It is now necessary
that the same message be carried by the means of social communication that are
available today. #126
...social communication are the usual channels for giving the news and for
voicing contemporary man's attitudes and views, they offer marvelous opportunities
to all for considering the implications of their religious convictions through
the discussion of events and problems of the day. # 129
Chapter III
The Active Commitment of Catholics in the Different Media
I. The Printed Word
The Press, of its power and nature, is of towering importance, ...its variety
and of the number of its publications, it can go into detail when reporting
the news.
II. Cinema
The Cinema is part of contemporary life. It exerts a strong influence of education,
knowledge, culture and leisure.
III. Radio and Television
Radio and Television have given society new patterns of communication. Instantaneous
transmissions break through political and cultural barriers.. What they have
to say reaches men in their own homes. # 148
Listeners and viewers will contribute to the betterment of religious programs
by making their reactions known. # 155
IV. The Theater
The theater is one of the most ancient and lively forms of human expression
and communication. # 158 ...ancient interest in the theater should be maintained
by Christians today and full use be made of its possibilities. # 161
CHAPTER IV
Equipment, Personnel and Organization
The official Catholic organizations and enterprises that work in social communications
with a pastoral end in view, should be able to call upon trained personnel.
#164
...the ground rules laid down in Inter Mirifica, this duty devolves
upon every bishop in every diocese. # 165
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