TRANSMIT VALUES AND MORALS THROUGH THE MEDIA

VATICAN CITY, APR 20, 2002 (VIS) - Made public today was a message from the Pope addressed to the president of the Catholic Union of the Italian Press, Emilio Rossi, who has organized a meeting entitled "Youth and the Media of Communication."

In the message dated April 18, John Paul II writes that television "frequently is the main point of reference for youth" and for this reason, "it is necessary to create products that, while respecting pedagogical dynamics and ethical values, take into account the sensitivity and the educational requirements of young people."

"What are necessary," he continues, "are programs that promote the growth of the person, a sense of well-being, and the capacity to correctly face all the most difficult aspects of our existence, without trauma and distortions. Above all, it is necessary to transmit through the media values and models that cause the fundamental truths to emerge about human beings and about the big questions they ask themselves. Among these, we must point out in a special way the religious truths aimed at furnishing appropriate answers to the deeper demands that accompany the growth and development of the person."

The Holy Father highlights that "one of the principle paradigms of civilization and progress is to pay attention to young people in the field of the media of communication; it entails a passionate task to which all must contribute according to their own role and their own strengths."

The Pope concludes by directing a call to leaders and institutions to make it possible that "respect for the rights of minors may be considered as a primary and essential criteria in the assessment of the media of communication. I invite all parents to educate carefully at home as well as a contributing member in society. To the agents of communication, in particular to editors and producers, I urge you to invest in projects appropriate for minors, keeping in mind young people's demands."

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