Die Verantwortung der Katholiken für die Massenmedien

Abstract

Seit 25 Jahren arbeite ich im Grenzbereich von Theologie und Kommunikationswissenschaft. In dieser Zeit sind mir bestimmte Fragestellungn zum Verhältnis von Glaube/Kirche auf der einen und Massenmedium auf der anderen Seite immer wieder begegnet. Sie beschäftigen mich nach wie vor. Unter den Begriffen von Verantwortung bzw. Verantwortlichkeit sowie unter dem relativ jungen Begriff der 'kommunikativen Diakonie' bündeln sich diese Fragen zu einem Themenkomplex, der für die Kirche der Gegenwart aktuell und sehr wichtig ist. (...) 

English

There exists not only a form of responsibility on the part of the media and the journaHst or programme-designers, respectively, towards their public, but the public too is partly responsible for the way in which the media develop. In this article the author stresses the responsibility of Catholic Christians in particular where mass comrnunication and media-culture are concerned. He takes the stand that generally the media represent a !arge "market": "They provide all sorts of messages ... ". One has to respect the fact that this market also offers various ideologies and forms of Weltanschauung. For many the offer is fascinating. lt is for this reason that people, of their own accord, draw their frame of reference and their world and social explanation models from the media. The Church as an offerer of comprehensive education must not only recognise the competition, but it must also contribute its own competence, in order to cultivate the wordly, spiritual and ethical dialogue. lt must keep an eye on the picture of the church presented by the media, and it must - fearlessly- develop its own strategies. Comrnunication via the media and with the help of the media should become a part of the life of faith - due to a sense of responsibility towards the media, too.