The duty of responsibility

The French debates of the past months have brought to the fore a worn society, excruciated by economic and social issues on the one side, and by ethical issues on the other, while news items provided a nullifying contribution to the public opinion. Sarah Numico, interviewed columnist and writer Bernard Lecomte for SIR Europe. What could be the role of the media in the transmission of the values debated in the past months, regarding man-woman relations? "The media have two set of difficulties in addressing these themes. On the one side they are very ‘formatted’ meaning that they have to abide to specific, limiting protocols, thus they overlook excessively complicated or non-specific issues. Moreover, the media are bound to topical events. In France, the government bill on homosexual marriage is a topical issue. Unfortunately the media often adopts a ‘reductive’ approach that results in a ‘pre-arranged’ and sketchy presentation of the pros and cons. Thus polemics and sensationalism replaces information. These are complex issues, which demand subtle reflections, explanations, instead of passing the buck from one stand to the next. People are very happy when they have the possibility of listening to articulated positions. But the topical issue of homosexual marriage is now marked by lack of balance: 95% of the press hold a favourable stance, while the public opinion is much more divided. The media fail to provide the coverage of an authentic debate. There ensues the public opinions’ frustration for not being fully informed about these themes".Do you think that media operators’ competence is up to addressing this complex task? "Clearly also journalists need time to delve into a given topic. But today most journalists provide a superficial rendering of the issue, from a purely political angle. As relates to the law on homosexual marriage, it appears that only now do journalists realize that Hollande’s reform will bring about a countless number of amendments to the civil code, which will require a great amount of work and major concerted action. As regards the situation of assisted procreation for homosexual couples, a 2011 bill excludes this possibility, unless the law is changed. It also appears that everyone – the public opinion, the press…- have failed to recall the law on bioethics. This is very telling of the superficial approach of most media workers, that don’t make the effort of looking into the issue, of listening and to learning". But also public opinion has its share of responsibility… "Actually, in many parts of France, in communities and in parishes, increasing numbers of people display an interest to be involved in the debate, for greater conscience-awareness. All areas of civil society are unaware of the amplitude of the debate. A large part of France does not appear on TV, although many French citizens are active in their respective fields, and they make the difference". How can Church communication transmit its thought, with a universal language for the whole of humanity? "Things seemed to have improved over the past 2-3 years, both at diocesan level and in the larger framework of the Vatican. There is greater knowledge of media tools, that are put to their best advantage, along with greater openness. This is evident in the question of homosexual marriage: French ecclesial dignitaries didn’t hasten a reaction, nor did they flex their muscles. They said all that needed to be said, from an anthropological standpoint. In public debates, they spoke in the name of common sense and from the standpoint of anthropology. Sooner of later Euthanasia is bound to another major area of debate. The bishops are delving into the theme with in-depth reflection and study, with the contribution of experts".