Media must build trust by serving the truth

FREEDOM of the press is not only about government oppression and censorship.

The fundamental moral requirement of all communication is respect for the truth.

By accurately reporting events and correctly explaining issues, the media has a strict duty to foster justice and solidarity in human relationships at all levels of society.

The media serves freedom by serving truth: it obstructs freedom to the extent that it departs from what is true by disseminating falsehoods or creating a climate of unsound emotional reaction to events.

Only when people have free access to true and sufficient information can they pursue the common good and hold public authority accountable. If the media is to serve freedom, it must be free to do so and correctly use that freedom. Its privileged status obliges the media to rise above purely commercial concerns and serve society’s true needs and interests.

The media has an immense role to play in building that trust. Its power is such that in a few short days it can create the positive or negative public reaction to events which suits its purposes. Reasonable people will realise that such enormous power calls for the highest standards of commitment to truth and goodness.

Paul Kokoski

234 Columbia Drive

Hamilton

Ontario

Canada