By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
VATICAN
Catholic communicators and journalists have been implored to ignite a positive change in their communities through truthful storytelling.
This call was made by His Holiness Pope Francis I during a meeting with media professionals who gathered in Paul VI Hall in Rome Vatican for the Jubilee of the World of Communication over the weekend.
“Stories reveal our being part of a living fabric, the intertwining threads that connect us to one another,” said Pope Francis I.
“Not all stories are good, yet they must be told. Evil must be seen to be redeemed, but it must be told well, so as not to wear down the fragile threads of coexistence.”
According to the Pope, approaching journalists’ work with courage, integrity, and a steadfast focus on hope liberates “the inner strength of the heart.“
“Let your storytelling be hope-telling”, the Pope told catholic communicators and journalists on Saturday.
Additionally, Pope Francis expressed concerns about gross violations of press freedom, and acknowledged the many journalists who risk their lives to uncover the truth, particularly in conflict zones, appealing for the immediate release of those whom are unjustly convicted in different prisons and safe houses across the world.
“In this Jubilee for the World of #Communication, I call for the release of all journalists unjustly imprisoned. Freedom of the press strengthens the freedom of us all. Their freedom means freedom for everyone,” Pope Francis I said.
The Pope says freedom of journalists is essential for the freedom of all citizens, and emphasized preservation of “free, responsible, and accurate information” , which he says is a treasure of knowledge and experience.
“Free, responsible, and accurate information is a treasure of knowledge, experience, and virtue that must be preserved and promoted. Without it, we risk no longer distinguishing truth from falsehood; without it, we expose ourselves to growing prejudices and polarizations that destroy the bonds of civil coexistence and prevent us from rebuilding fraternity.”
He encouraged catholic communicators and journalists to be narrators of hope and “tell stories of hope, that nourish life”: “Telling hope,” he said “means allowing people to hope against hope (…) and having a gaze that transforms things, making them what they could and should be.”
