1974 World Communications Day theme attracts philosopher comments
austraLasia #1974

Pope Benedict's theme for World Communications Day 2008 attracts comment by philosophers

ROME: 2nd November 2007 -- "Social Communications media: at the crossroads between being champions of their own ideas, and service. Seeking the Truth in order to share it". Thus runs an unofficial translation of the Pope's theme, originally phrased in Italian, contrasting 'protagonismo' and 'service'.  as the word 'protagonism' does not actually exist in English or, in those few dictionaries that allow it, means something other than what the Pope clearly intends, I have chosen 'champions of their own ideas' to express that intention. (jbf)
    The recently appointed head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, comments that it invites 'reflection on the role of the media in relation, especially, to the ever present risk that the media become self-referencing and no longer instruments at the service of truth, a truth which is to be sought and shared'.
    WCD, the only World Day set in place by Vatican Council II (Inter Mirifica, 1963), is celebrated in many countries, though not all, on the Sunday before Pentecost (which in 2008 will mean the 4th May). The actual message expounding the theme will be released by the Pope on the Feast of St Francis de Sales, patron of journalists, on 24th January.  On this day, or around that time, Salesian communities around the world are encouraged (cf. 'Salesian, Communicator', the Handbook on Social Communications, easily available in the SDL English collection under Social Communications) to gather local media people to show support,  and to take action in an area which was one of Don Bosco's charismatic priorities.
    The 2008 theme has already begun to attract comment by philosophers, who are showing interest in this recall to action by way of service. The 'gifting' philosophy has become a point of much reflection in secular journals dedicated to media and cultural reflection (cf., for example First Monday online). An Italian philosopher, Gaspare Mura, has already offered comment on the Pope's WCD 2008 theme, saying it recalls the thinking of great intellectuals like Karl Popper, Hans Georg Gadamer and Giovanni Sartori, particularly Popper's view that 'there is no freedom without education to understanding, and responsibility'. Education and freedom are key words for liberal society in the truest sense of that term'.  Francesco Casetti, head of the communications department at MIlan's Catholic University, says the theme calls for a huge educational effort on the part of those insititutions, Catholic or otherwise, which prepare people to work in media.
     _________________
 AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use BoscoWiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - subscribe to www.bosconet.aust.com/RSS/rssala.xml Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at at http://sdl.sdb.org