Pope Francis speaks out against fake news
On the occasion of World Communications Day, Pope Francis condemned the ‘manipulative use of social networks’ and other forms of communication in facilitating the spread of fake news. According to the Pope, ‘spreading fake news can serve to advance specific goals, influence political decisions, and serve economic interests,’ advocating for an ‘education for truth’. He added that fake news is a sign of intolerant and hypersensitive attitudes, and leads to the spread of hatred. He praised the measures to educate people, the work of tech and media companies to verify personal identities, and the institutional and legal initiatives aimed at developing regulations for curbing the phenomenon.
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