Ethics in the Internet.

The Vatican has targeted problems with Internet journalism and wants journalists themselves to correct them quickly.

In Ethics in Internet, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications links these problems to the economic competitiveness and round-the-clock nature of Internet journalism. These characteristics "contribute to sensationalism and rumor-mongering, to a merging of news, advertising, and entertainment, and to an apparent decline in serious reporting and commentary."

Ethics in Internet, one of two recent documents from the Pontifical Council, states that in many ways the Internet and other new media are contributing to authentic human development. However, they can also be used "to exploit, manipulate, dominate, and corrupt."

The other document, The Church and Internet, states that "Catholics should not be afraid to throw open the doors of social communications to Christ so that his Good News may be heard from the housetops of the world!" The Pontifical Council wants people at all levels of the Church to use the Internet creatively 'to meet their responsibilities and help fulfill the Church's mission. Hanging back timidly from fear of technology or for some other reason is not acceptable...."

These two documents reveal an appreciation of the consequences of the Internet, both positive and negative, for the development of persons, the functioning of societies, and the perception of values and religious beliefs. Fundamentally, Church leaders do not view the Internet "only as a source of problems." Rather, "we see it as a source of benefits to the human race. But the benefits can be fully realized only if the problems are solved."

Ethics in Internet says that media communication should be "by persons to persons for the integral development of persons." Further, the media should promote the common good, defined as all the social conditions that allow people, collectively or individually, to fulfill themselves more fully and easily. To a great extent, the revolution in communications media, including the Internet, drives and supports globalization. "Now," the document asserts, "the media have the ability to make every person everywhere a partner in the business of the human race.... "The Internet can help to realize this "astonishing vision," but "only if it is used in the light of clear, sound ethical principles, especially solidarity." Solidarity is the virtue which disposes us to protect and promote the common good.

Accessibility

The Pontifical Council wants to ensure that the Internet is accessible to less advantaged groups. It is concerned about "the digital divide--a form of discrimination dividing the rich from the poor... on the basis of access, or lack of access, to the new information technology." To share in the promised benefits of globalization, individuals, groups and nations must have access to the new technology.

Cultural dimensions are of particular concern. The document recognizes that intercultural dialogue and enrichment are highly desirable. But this, it says, has to be a two-way street. To impose "the world view, values, and even language of one culture upon another is not dialogue but cultural imperialism."

Provided the moral order and the common interest are respected, Ethics in Internet strongly supports freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas. This excludes an exaggerated individualism that sees the Internet as a vehicle for "very nearly every kind of expression, no matter how vile and destructive" and "for untrammeled commercial activity on a neo-liberal model."

Although circumstances may sometimes require state intervention, "in principle industry self-regulation [of the Internet] is best." The Pontifical Council believes that industry codes of ethics can play a useful role and representatives of the public should be involved in their formulation and enforcement. Besides encouraging responsible communicators, these ethical codes should "carry appropriate penalties for violations, including public censure."

Parents, the Pontifical Council says, should supervise and guide children's use of the Internet. Educators should provide training for children and adults in discerning use of the Internet and informed evaluation of its content.

In The Church and Internet, the Pontifical Council acknowledges that at times the world of the media may seem at odds with the Christian message. However, "it also offers unique opportunities for proclaiming the saving truth of Christ to the whole human family." It is necessary, the Pontifical Council says, for the Church to understand the Internet "in order to communicate effectively with people--especially young people--who are steeped in the experience of this new technology, and also in order to use it well."

Joe Campbell writes from Saskatchewan and contributes to Catholic Insight on a wide range of issues hut especially on Catholic Social teaching.