杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

The primary mission of a public broadcaster is to serve citizens by providing them with truthful and accurate information, education, and high-quality entertainment, 杏MAP导航 Francis said on Saturday.

The 杏MAP导航 was speaking to managers and employees of the RAI-Radio Televisione Italiana, the Italian broadcasting corporation, whom he received on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its radio launch and the 70th anniversary of its first public TV channel.

In his address, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that the RAI鈥檚 history is closely intertwined with the cultural changes that have taken place in Italian society over the past decades, to which it has significantly contributed. 鈥淚ndeed,鈥� he said, 鈥渢he media influence our identities, for better or for worse.鈥�

He therefore reflected on two keywords of the RAI鈥檚 mission: service and public.

Offering a truthful and pluralistic information

Regarding the first point, 杏MAP导航 Francis remarked that in the field of information, serving is essentially about 鈥渟eeking and promoting the truth, for example by countering the spread of fake news鈥�, and ideological manipulation disrupting the social fabric.

It means avoiding any misleading reductionism, 鈥渞emembering that the truth is 鈥榮ymphonic鈥� and that it is best attained by learning to listen to the variety of voices - as in a choir - rather than always and only shouting out one's own idea.鈥�

It also means 鈥渟erving citizens' right to correct information,鈥� taking the time to understand and reflect, and "combating cognitive pollution, because information must also be 鈥榚cological鈥�.鈥�

Cultivate dialogue

Finally, the 杏MAP导航 said, it means guaranteeing pluralism 鈥渂ecause, as Saint John Paul II already stated, 鈥榯he truth [...], even when it has been achieved - and this always happens in a limited and perfectible way - can never be imposed.鈥欌��

杏MAP导航 Francis therefore urged the attendees to cultivate dialogue, 鈥渨eaving threads of unity鈥� in their work.

As for other productions offered by the RAI, including cinema, fiction, TV series, cultural and entertainment programmes, sports stories, children's programmes, 杏MAP导航 Francis emphasized the importance of promoting the search for beauty, the values solidarity, safeguarding freedom, and of endeavouring to ensure that every artistic expression ennobles lives of all viewers.

The implications of AI

杏MAP导航 Francis also spoke about the new information technologies, reiterating the need for preventive action and regulatory tools 鈥渢o forestall harmful, discriminatory, and socially unjust effects of the use of systems of artificial intelligence" and 鈥渢o combat their misuse for the purpose of reducing pluralism, polarizing public opinion or creating forms of groupthink.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 then went on to reflect on the public nature of the RAI鈥檚 broadcasting, noting that this feature underlines that its service 鈥渋s connected to the common good.鈥�

It therefore involves first of all 鈥渢he commitment to consider and give voice, especially to the least, the poorest, those who have no voice, those who are discarded.鈥�

It also implies the vocation to be an instrument to enhance knowledge, to open people's horizons, and 鈥渢o educate young people to dream big.鈥�

Audience shares are less important than quality

The 杏MAP导航, therefore, called on the RAI to pursue high-quality programming, rather than focus on high audience shares.

He further remarked that communication 鈥漜an play a fundamental role in our time in reweaving socially vital values such as citizenship and participation.鈥�

Concluding, 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged the Italian public broadcaster 鈥渢o promote unity and reconciliation in the family and in society, listening and dialogue, to inform and also to listen, with respect and humility.鈥�