Catholic communicators from across Asia stressed the need for a responsible and effective media to help people face uncertainty and disruptions in life brought by the continuing pandemic.
“We believe that responsible dissemination of information is necessary in these pandemic times when misinformation and disinformation are rampant, and many parties seek to distort and abuse the information communicated for their own ends,” read a statement from the second online assembly of Signis Asia.
“It is our responsibility to be transparent and accountable for the information we choose to disseminate,” it added.
About 100 participants from 14 countries addressed the Catholic communicators’ response to the theme: “Partnering with People-centered Development Initiatives.”
The Church communicators see the need to reaffirm their support to the voiceless especially when the world changes faster in a multitude of ways.
A shift from global alliances to regional political bloc forces people to change their need to collaborate, support and uphold their communities and societies.
“We acknowledge that now, more than ever, the role of communication is crucial as the poor, marginalized, dispossessed, displaced, oppressed, exploited and underserved are pushed even further away from, and denied the resources and support, that they are entitled to as persons with rights and dignity,” read the statement.
The participants pledged their support to those working to overcome the challenges confronting “the most vulnerable sectors of society, such as women, children, youth, refugees, migrants and the disabled.”
They also promised to care and improve the environment, develop sustainable energy, and reduce unsustainable environmental use, “as these affect everyone regardless of geographical boundaries, ethnicity, religious or cultural affiliations.”
The Church communicators reaffirmed their collaboration with people-centered development organizations that try to improve the situation of the marginalized.
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