Pope says journalism based on rumours and fear is ‘terrorism

Sep 30, 2016

ROME: Pope Francis warned that journalism, when based on rumours, can be a form of terrorism, meaning a “weapon of destruction” of both people and nations.

The pontiff also urged journalists not to stoke fear regarding phenomena such as migration forced by war or hunger.

“I have often spoken of rumours as ‘terrorism,’ of how you can kill a person with the tongue,” Francis said.

“If this is valid for an individual person, in the family or at work, so much more it’s valid for journalists, because their voice can reach everyone, and this is a very powerful weapon,” he said.

Criticism, the Pope continued, is legitimate, as well as the “denunciation of evil, but this must always be done respecting the other, his life, his affections,” because an article is replaced from one day to the other, but the life of a person “unjustly defamed can be destroyed forever.”

Francis’ words came on Thursday, Sept 22 as he was addressing close to 400 journalists from the Italian National Council of the Order of Journalists. After his remarks, he took the time to greet each one of them.

The pontiff also said that when practiced with professionalism, journalism is a fundamental element of an independent and pluralist society.

To make sure it’s lived as such, Francis offered a reflection on three aspects of the profession: love for the truth, living with professionalism and respect for human dignity. -- Crux