Pope says media too often hostile to family values, urges changes

Published: 2004-01-26

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Modern mass media too often encourage negative family trends, uncritically depicting infidelity and giving "positive support" to divorce, abortion and homosexuality, Pope John Paul II said. The pope, in an annual message for World Communications Day, called on parents, communicators and public authorities to fight what he termed an agenda "hostile" to family values -- but without resorting to censorship. The pope's message on the theme "The Media in the Family: A Risk and a Richness" was released at the Vatican Jan. 24. It was designed to prompt reflection ahead of World Communications Day, which will be marked in most dioceses this year on May 23. The pope said today's global reach of mass media offers virtually unlimited opportunities for families in terms of education, cultural expansion and even spiritual growth.

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