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Pope Francis says ‘virus’ of fake news dates back to biblical times, calls for a ‘journalism of peace’

Pope Francis warned on Wednesday against the temptation of fake news, drawing a parallel between ethically compromised journalism and the biblical tale of Adam, Eve, the snake and the forbidden fruit.

Published: 25 January 2018 08:29 CET
Pope Francis says 'virus' of fake news dates back to biblical times, calls for a 'journalism of peace'
Pope Francis pictured during his weekly general audience. Photo: Andreas Solaro/AFP

In his annual World Communication Day message held on the feast day of Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists, the Pope referred to Eve being fooled by the snake as “the first fake news”.

“We need to unmask what could be called the 'snake-tactics' used by those who disguise themselves in order to strike,” he said.

Fake news” was popularised as a phrase by Donald Trump during his victorious 2016 US presidential election campaign and first year in the White House.

Trump uses it as a barb towards what he believes is a mainstream media biased against him, but it has come to be used as a way of describing the proliferation of outlets and websites publishing invented news stories as a tool of political propaganda.

Pope Francis used the story of Adam and Eve, from the Old Testament's Book of Genesis, to highlight that “there is no such thing as harmless disinformation; on the contrary, trusting in falsehood can have dire consequences. Even a seemingly slight distortion of the truth can have dangerous effects”.

In the story, the snake convinces Eve and then Adam into eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, an act which leads to God expelling them from the Garden of Eden.

READ ALSO: Italy debates fines and prison terms for those who spread fake news

“Spreading fake news can serve to advance specific goals, influence political decisions, and serve economic interests. The effectiveness of fake news is primarily due to its ability to mimic real news, to seem plausible,”
added Francis.

“The most radical antidote to the virus of falsehood is purification by the truth.”

In order to discern the truth from the lie, the Pope suggests that people look at the results and see “whether they provoke quarrels, foment division, encourage resignation; or, on the other hand, they promote informed and mature reflection leading to constructive dialogue and fruitful results”.

He also looked towards journalism as “not just a job” but “a mission”, and journalists as “protectors of news” who should promote a “journalism of peace”.

“I mean a journalism that is truthful and opposed to falsehoods, rhetorical slogans, and sensational headlines,” he said.

His message comes as Italy's political parties prepare for an election scheduled for March 4th. Italian President Sergio Mattarella has criticized the parties for making “irresponsible” promises, such as pledging sweeping tax cuts without outlining plans for where the lost revenue would come from.

READ MORE: Five Star Movement sidesteps claims of pro-Russia fake news

POLITICS

Italy’s government to continue sending weapons to Ukraine in 2023

Italy's new government issued a decree on Thursday to continue sending weapons to Ukraine through 2023, continuing the previous administration's policy of support to Kyiv.

Published: 2 December 2022 09:21 CET
Italy's government to continue sending weapons to Ukraine in 2023

The decree extends to December 31, 2023 an existing authorisation for “the transfer of military means, materials and equipment to the government authorities of Ukraine,” according to a government statement.

Since taking office in October, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has repeatedly voiced her support for Kyiv while underlying the importance of the Atlantic alliance.

In her first speech to parliament, the leader of the Brothers of Italy party pledged to “continue to be a reliable partner of NATO in supporting Ukraine.”

Her predecessor Mario Draghi was a staunch supporter of Kyiv, but the issue of sending arms to Ukraine split the biggest party in parliament during his coalition government, the Five Star Movement.

That friction led to the early elections that brought Meloni to power.

Parliament now has 60 days to vote the decree into law.

READ ALSO: Outcry in Italy after Berlusconi defends Putin’s invasion of Ukraine

Despite Meloni’s efforts to reassure her Western allies of Italy’s support for the EU’s and NATO’s Ukraine strategy, including sanctions on Russia, the close ties to Russia of her two coalition partners have come under scrutiny.

Both Matteo Salvini of the League party and former premier Silvio Berlusconi, who leads Forza Italia, have long enjoyed warm relations with Russia.

In October, an audio tape of Berlusconi was leaked to the media in which the former premier described how he had received a birthday present of vodka from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In the tape, he also expressed concerns about sending weapons and cash to Kyiv and appeared to blame the war on Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Berlusconi later issued a statement saying his personal position on Ukraine “does not deviate” from that of Italy and the EU.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Salvini, too, has come under fire for his relations with Moscow, including a report that he dined with Russia’s ambassador to Rome just days after that country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Salvini, who has criticised EU sanctions as ineffective, has long admired Putin, even wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the Russian leader’s face.

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