Social communicators and journalists have been urged to refrain from misinforming the public but instead spread information with courage, guided by the Holy Spirit.
The call was made by H.E the Most Rev. Augustine Kasujja, the Apostolic Nuncio, during Mass to commemorate the 58th World Social Communications Day under the theme: “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart” at Our Lady of Good Counsel Gayaza Parish.
During the Homily, H.E Kasujja noted that the Pope’s message to communicators this year reminds us that while science and technology have eased the way of communication and dispersing of news, we must use this intelligence well for the good of all.
“We must use this technology to fight for rights, life, and respect of every human being as well as peace in our nation using the word of God. Artificial Intelligence, the machines that work replicate the work of humans yet they have no humanity or knowledge must not cause us to lose our humanity and love towards one another,” he said.
He also reminded the Christians that Uganda is celebrating this year, 60 years of the canonization of the Holy Uganda Martyrs and that they must not forget that when people prayed and invoked the Martyrs, they intervened and there were miracles to overcome the plague that had killed many live and cured those that were disabled.
“Let us not just admire the Martyrs as beautiful historical objects in museums, but let us invoke them even more today in prayer, to overcome the plagues and evils of our times like corruption, abuses, and violence in families, injustices, destruction of our beautiful natural resources etc.”
He encouraged communicators to pray through the intercession of the martyr of Uganda, St Achilles Kiwanuka, the patron of journalists, pressmen, and women who received the crown of martyrdom at an early age of 17 years and was burnt alive at Namugongo on 3rd June 1886.
Archbishop Kasujja noted that Kiwanuka left Uganda a wonderful witness of a messenger of responsibility and strong faith because he was fully detached from his witchcraft practices and paganism. “Let us learn from him, to put all our confidence and trust in God.”
Mr Matia Lwanga Bwanika, the chief guest, noted that social communicators are different from the other journalists because their role is to ensure that the information they share brings solace to the people of God and that trained journalists are taught about social responsibility.
“It is not every event that must be broadcasted or written and you are told to always ask yourself first if what you are going to broadcast is developmental to society. Even if what you are saying is factual, it must have an element of development to the people you are targeting your communication to impact,” said Bwanika.
He explained that the catechism of the Roman Catholic Church talks about the Good News; however, today, there is a lot of negative news in society, so a social communicator of the church must be careful how they deal with such.
The event was also attended by several other dignitaries, including the President of Laity/UNNCLA Mr Gervase Ndyanabo, the Ssabakristu Kampala Diocese Mrs Emily Mwaka, priests from the Social Communications office of the Diocese and the Catholic Secretariat, journalists from all over Kampala among others.
