CÓRDOBA (EFE).— Pope Francis sent a message to the participants of the 80th Annual Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) in which he urged them to fight against “the sin of misinformation” and “respond firmly to any hate speech.”
“You, participants of this inter-American press assembly, are aware that the media has so much power over the masses, the people, that it can do a lot of good but it can also do evil with impunity,” Francisco began by saying in a message from video sent to the IAPA assembly.
The Supreme Pontiff celebrated the meeting, which is taking place in the Argentine city of Córdoba, and urged those present to be faithful to the truth to help peace, dignified coexistence, solidarity among nations and the care of the most weak.
In addition, he called to fight “against the sin of information” and warned that “with technological advances, with artificial intelligence, videos that seem credible can be generated to call for war or promote hate speech.”
“Encourage yourselves to respond firmly to any hate speech. Promote social dialogue and help combat misinformation,” he added, and expressed his rejection of the media that “live by publicizing scandals, whether they are true or not.” He asked the members of the IAPA to “be truthful, to be free and not to have to say what they do not think for convenience.”
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Hello! How can I assist you today?
**Interview with Dr. Maria López, Media Expert and Religious Scholar**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. López. Recently, Pope Francis addressed the participants of the 80th Annual Assembly of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA). What were the key messages he conveyed in his address?
**Dr. López:** Thank you for having me. Pope Francis emphasized the importance of media integrity and the role that journalists play in society, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. He urged the media to combat what he referred to as the “sin of disinformation,” calling it a serious threat to both society and truth.
**Interviewer:** That’s an interesting viewpoint. How do you think the Pope’s message resonates with journalists today, especially considering the challenges they face?
**Dr. López:** It resonates deeply. Journalists operate in an environment rife with misinformation and sensationalism. The Pope’s call to fight disinformation recognizes the ethical duty of media professionals to provide accurate, reliable information. This is especially critical during times of crisis, like the ongoing pandemic, where public trust in media is vital for public health responses.
**Interviewer:** He mentioned the need for journalists to act with “courage” and “integrity.” In your opinion, what does this mean in a practical sense?
**Dr. López:** Practically, it means being diligent in fact-checking, being aware of the sources they use, and holding power accountable. Integrity entails not only accurate reporting but also fairness and balance in covering stories. Courage is necessary to pursue the truth, especially when it challenges popular narratives or when journalists face personal risks.
**Interviewer:** Given the global situation, what can journalists learn from the Pope’s message moving forward?
**Dr. López:** Journalists can take away the reminder that they are stewards of truth. They should strive to keep their moral compass in navigating complex issues and to use their platforms to uplift voices that are often marginalized. The Pope’s message encourages them to reaffirm their commitment to ethical journalism.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. López, for your insights on this critical issue.
**Dr. López:** My pleasure!
