Communications think tank promotes family in media

Last updated on: December 17, 2012 at 12:16 am by CNA Daily News

Communications think tank promotes family in media 2012-12-17T00:16:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rome, Italy, Dec 16, 2012 / 05:16 pm (CNA).- Family and Media is celebrating its seventh year of studying the impact of the media on the family and offering advice to parents on how to form the Christian character of their children.

“The catalyst for its starting was John Paul II’s message ‘The Media and the Family: a Risk and a Richness,’ delivered in 2004,” Family and Media's project coordinator Norberto Gaitano told CNA Dec. 14.

“Some scholars from different universities already had an interest and a preoccupation, for the media effects on family. At that point, some of us thought: we have to do something in this field to help families.”

Gaitano is a professor of communications and public opinion at the Pontifical University Santa Croce, and the organization includes communications professors from universities in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Argentina, and Chile.

In his words, “we don't pay too much attention to the influence media is having on our lifestyles,” and so he and his fellow teachers made this a focus of Family and Media.

The group assists other family associations in developing media education tools for parents and helps promote a pro-family agenda in the media, rather than merely being reactive to media.

It also assists family organizations with improving their own communication outreach, acts as a think tank, and is interdisciplinary, including advisers in the fields of philosophy and theology, Gaitano explained.

At the practical leve, he said it is important that parents be aware of their childrens' use of media and social networks.

“Young people are searching to affirm their identity, to discover a world beyond the family, and to establish relationships that are different from their filial and fraternal ones … new technologies open a window to such new relationships.”

Since children are using these technologies, but have not had time to develop prudence, Gaitano said it is important that parents supply this virtue and help their children to develop it.

We must begin with children and education – “through caring for children,” said Gaitano.

“We want to offer our little contribution to help rebuild the symbolic and social value of the family. Communications is a key of doing this. This field leads you to think strategically and not just tactically. Isolated and temporary, casual actions aren’t enough to win the battle. A long-term cultural design is needed.”

Europe

Uncategorized

Previous Post

December 16, 2012

Elementary school massacre 'not part of God’s plan,' Newtown priest says

Next Post

December 17, 2012 Palestinian president thanks Pope for his support

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: According to 1 John, God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE