Journalists cautioned on misuse of modern communication

Jun 04, 2019

“Take advantage of communication technological advancement to open channels of dialogue and create positive social connections. Mobile phones must not become the cause of conflicts in our families.

RELIGION

 

Catholic journalists in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala on Sunday (June 2) marked World Communications Day with a call on media professionals to be champions of peace unity and development.

 

During the celebrations that took place at St Joseph's Catholic Centenary Parish, Ndeeba, Msgr Lawrence Ssemusu, who represented Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, cautioned journalists and social communicators in general, against the risks of misusing modern communication technology. 

 

"Take advantage of communication technological advancement to open channels of dialogue and create positive social connections. Mobile phones must not become the cause of conflicts in our families.

 

Spouses shouldn't be married to their mobile phones. Be genuine when using your phones so that they remain a resource for enhancing harmony and holistic development."

 

The Director of the Social Communications Department of Kampala Archdiocese, Fr Joseph Mukasa Nkeera, paid tribute to journalists for their commitment to their profession.

 

 The parish-priest of Ndeeba, Fr Francis Xavier Kikomeko delivers his remarks (Photos by Mathias Mazinga)

 

"The Catholic Church acknowledges the importance of the media, which is why we respect and value journalists. We know the challenges you go through.

 

You are battered and sometimes killed. You are also given enticements to forsake the truth. In all situations, you must remain true to the tenets of the profession. Always stand for truth and justice. Remain watchdogs, eyes, and ears of society."

 

"There was a time when we had only one radio and TV, which would also be switched off at midnight. 

 

When I was studying in the US, I had to make arrangements for my mother to be brought to Kampala, from Bugerere, to be able to talk to her on the phone! We need to be grateful to God for the enormous advancement of communication technology.

 

However, we must be prudent when exercising our profession. The media can easily cause anarchy and war if misused. The genocide in Rwanda, in 1994, is one example of how we can destroy the world if we misuse the tools of communication."

 

Nkeera later asked journalists to support evangelistic media houses, such as Radio Maria, and the Catholic Television, which he said relied more on the charity of the people of good will.

 

The function ran under the theme: We are members one of another (Eph4:25); from social network communities to the human community."