Web and TV for Gospel service

The debate on the development of the media society and the Catholic Church highlights different choices and different paths in the various ecclesial realities. In Germany, the Office for Catholic television broadcasting activities (KFA, Katholische Fernseharbeit) is a newsroom of the German Bishops Conference in which journalists and theologians develop religious programs for ZDF TV network, for Kinderkanal children network, and for the group RTL via transmedia technology. KFA commissions the realization of TV programs to TV producers, coordinates the news desk and the direction, and verifies programs prior to broadcasting. Moreover, audiovisual productions and journalistic activity are developed for the press and the media at large, as well as for dissemination on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, with a remarkable selection and offer of quality TV series and films on social issues and on the family. Massimo Lavena, for SIR Europe, interviewed Ulrich Fischer, KFA director, theologian and journalist, on Catholic communication in Germany. Which challenges is Catholic communication in Germany called to address today? “In my view the Catholic Church in Germany is called, above all, to proclaim the Gospel to non practising Catholic faithful in their everyday situations, to those not attending the Christian community with continuity, which are the majority, informing them on a timely basis about what is happening in the Church. I believe that the majority of German Christians do not actively seek God but are open to the ‘Word’ that is offered to them en passant. People appreciate the social and charitable commitment of the Church and look favourably on the support provided by ecclesiastical institutions in many existential situations. At the same time, believers await the announcement of the good news also through the media and would like to discuss in a free way themes concerning faith and the Church also on social networks”. How important is it for German society to receive a TV evangelization service? “The Bishops’ Conference has decided not to set up its own television station, but has expanded the central internet platform of the German Catholic Church, in particular for video and web-tv activity. The presence of the Churches in means of social communication is absolutely necessary in order to keep up contact with its members. This applies above all to ‘lay’ media – for Church periodicals and websites of the Church are poorly received. The Protestant and Catholic Churches in Germany have the opportunity – alongside with other bearers of culture – to use broadcasting time in mainstream television (on major and most popular broadcasters). In my opinion this diversity represents an ideal situation, like the transmission of Sunday Mass on the second channel (ZDF), while on workdays is broadcast a similar program via Church media (on web-TV, as the Mass at 9 am on our portal). More people are reached through television than through any other means, with focus on special topics on Internet platforms”. What do you expect from the challenge of digital web-TV? “With this goal in mind the German Bishops’ Conference has decided to introduce web-TV technology on its Internet portal www.katholisch.de. On the long term, in addition to live events, it will be necessary to seek direct contact through social media. Despite scarce financial means, thanks to the creativity and the authenticity of its protagonists it is possible to reach out to a large audience, like never before. The fusion of TV and internet with the social media opens up a wide range of new possibilities. KFA manages its own website (previously www.kirche.tv, and now fernsehen.katholisch.de) along with a sub-portal with information on all religious programs broadcast by German TV networks. For the future, it is expected that meditations, conferences, sermons, and liturgical celebrations (not only Masses but also lauds, Angelus, Vespers and complines) will be broadcast live ever more frequently, thereby providing the opportunity for people to participate and pray”. During his recent meeting with the Vatican Television Centre underlined that professionalism must be at the service of the Church in all communication activity. What is the situation in Germany? “The professionalism requested by the Pope to the media is certainly present in Germany. Increasing numbers of professional journalists work in the editorial offices of diocesan and inter-diocesan media. Given the rapid pace of technological innovations jobs in the realm of the new media have been created with equal rapidity. In fact, online media and web-TV editors are part of the editorial staff of diocesan press offices, along with social media experts (Facebook and Twitter). It’s important to support this professional job with the contribution of lay Christians. Indeed, since the absolute majority of Christians in Germany can be reached only through the media, media activity should be expanded more than ever before”.