“The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32).
An excellent piece (above link) by the Holy Father, well timed not just because of its Saint’s Day release, January 24th, but the recent events about social media regulation, etc. Also, well timed considering the gathering in Davos.
The Holy Father doesn’t dwell much on what I would identify as the major cause for the present situation in journalism and social media, even to most of the world’s ills: Disbelief in objective reality. Or rather I should say he does focus on it substantially through his discussion of the Garden of Eden but will any of those he wishes to address understand the context?
Pope Francis is not so subtle about the solution (Belief in Jesus). I hope people get the point about objective reality at least. Someone like Ayn Rand who believed in objective reality would likely agree with the Holy Father about the causes he outlines but certainly not the solution. Regardless, recognizing truth as outside of ourselves and objective, and something to be constantly sought is key to reversing the ugly media situation and a step in the right direction for the world at large. But can it be so easy?
Our present situation has not developed since November 2016, but I would argue has taken years to develop. We are only seeing the fruits of the ugly harvest and they are abundant. I would point to “The Closing of the American Mind” a prophetic 1987 book by Allan Bloom about the philosophical, historical, and cultural underpinnings of our drift (now full sail) into the present storm. Bloom’s book is thought-provoking, but his case is well argued.
Recently, I saw a friend’s post on FB which fits the Pope’s “fake news” narrative to a “T”. It was, based on my repeated readings, almost certainly, a satiric post, something you might even find on a satiric website. I did some checking to discover the origin of the post but was only at 95% confirmation regarding its satiric origin, so I did not post links to my research in any response.
The post and her comment above it fit her political narrative (judging from her previous posts). She has apparently lost the ability to discern satire from truth (hopefully a temporary loss), and in the end, it may have mattered little to her since the post fit her Weltanschauung. It would be truly tragic were the authors behind the post not intending it as satire, but it is unfortunate all the same.
Not only have we lost the ability for dialogue, but the ability to appreciate satire as satire as well. Along with just about everything else, our sense of humor has fallen prey to the repercussions of fake news.
The nearly complete lack of open dialogue on FB and other social media outlets, as I have experienced in responses to FB posting in my account, and others continue to report, including the attached from the Holy Father, makes most FB postings what I would consider “ideograms”. Ideograms convey a meaning, usually based on historical, cultural, or partisan political perspective. These ideograms can be quotes, often without attribution, or incendiary remarks, photos designed to provoke a visceral reaction, etc., but all are meant to convey something partisan to those who agree, reinforcing their beliefs while creating the opposite effect in those who don’t. Certainly, there is no room for posting a contrary response to these ideograms, and one does so at their own peril. And it probably doesn’t really matter whether you respond or not, in praise or in criticism.
I do know FB friends who often react to the ideograms with responses that counter the expected sentiment. It is a tough job and requires some research to at least make the case objectively. It is my view that any contemplated corrections to “fake news” in a comment to a FB post should come with good verified links and some narrative describing why you consider it to be fake, all done in as traditionally journalistic a tone as possible. Short of that, don’t post anything, and in the more extreme, as many friends have told me, stop using FB.
Finally, journalism in general has become so sloppy that even news reports that should be factual in content, are not. A recent report from a major reporting agency (AFP, Reuters, I forget which as they are almost constant) about the Spratly Islands noted that the South China Sea disputed islands were 690km from the Philippines, in discussing China’s continuing island build up. It failed to report that the islands are 3,029km from China, a key data bit if someone reading the article truly wished to assess the facts and circumstances of the news item. It was almost as if the reporter behind the release wanted to leave the impression that the Philippines was pushing its territorial claims far out into the South China Sea and China was a victim (Well, that is one potential view anyway.). I cite this as one of many recent examples of what I would consider sloppy journalism. While there may have simply been an inadvertent omission here, poor journalism was at play.
It will be sad if all sides and all affiliations read the Holy Father’s note and only say “Well I am okay, it is the Other”. That would mean we have a long way to descend before this silliness is over.
Let us pray that on this Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales, the true and solemn mission of journalism is renewed.
