by Dr. Rose Lugo, Founding President, Media Education Society
Democracy is sustained by informed and active citizens. In the modern world, that means we must understand how media operates, how messages are framed, and how opinions are shaped. Believers are called to be leaven in society, for us media literacy is not optional. It is a foundational skill that enables our participation in public life with clarity, conscience, and purpose.
Sacred Scripture reminds us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). This verse is as relevant today as it was in ancient Israel. A faithful Christian must not only pray and serve. A faithful Christian must also be equipped to interpret the narratives that dominate public discourse. Understanding how media influences thought, behavior, and policy is critical to safeguarding truth and promoting justice.
How Media Shapes Thought—and Why Literacy Matters
Modern media does not merely report events. It frames them. It decides what stories deserve attention and which voices receive a platform. As Pope Francis noted, “We need media capable of building bridges, defending life, and breaking down walls, whether visible or invisible” (Message for the 53rd World Communications Day, 2019, para. 5). Achieving this vision begins with media literacy, which will enable people’s ability to critically analyze content, detect bias, assess credibility, and more.
Media literacy education trains people to deconstruct messages. It teaches how to identify subtle distortions, emotional manipulation, and unbalanced reporting. It helps people recognize ideological framing and the omission of perspectives that do not fit prevailing narratives. In practical terms, media literacy education can enable the faithful to make better decisions, resist propaganda, and participate in civic life with moral clarity.
Equipping the Faithful to Influence Public Discourse
Beyond acquiring media literacy skills for their own consumption, faith leaders with ambition to leverage media for the promotion of the Gospel must also understand the requirements for quality media creation and the role of strategic media distribution. Faith advocates must learn how to communicate clearly with journalists, how to connect with media producers, how to influence advertisers, and how to offer engaging narratives that reflect the values of truth, dignity, and the common good. Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that “The world of mass media represents a new frontier for the mission of the Church” (Message for the 43rd World Communications Day, 2009, para. 1). To cross that frontier effectively, the Church must be media literate.
Digital Media and the Illusion of Equal Voice
A common misconception is that digital media gives everyone an equal voice. While it is true that almost anyone can publish content online, reach and visibility are not equally distributed. Algorithms prioritize accounts with monetization potential and those backed by promotional spending. Visibility is often purchased, not earned organically. Access to large audiences is limited by lack of funding, technical knowledge, and strategic coordination for the vast majority of people, especially faith-based or community voices. This makes organized efforts essential.
Christian institutions, parishes, schools, and ministries must commit to training leaders in media engagement. This means not only teaching youth how to identify bias in the news, but also forming adults in how to communicate Catholic social teaching effectively through press, broadcast, and digital platforms. Faith leaders seeking to influence society with Gospel values cannot afford to ignore how to leverage media. Media literacy education is essential for the Church’s active participation in society, as defended by Pope Francis (2025).
Media Literacy as a Path to the Common Good
When the faithful understand media, they become better equipped to uphold the Gospel in the public square. Saint Paul teaches, “Test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Media literacy allows believers to do precisely that—to distinguish truth from distortion, and to hold fast to messages that uplift faith values.
The Media Education Society exists to help people understand, engage, and produce media through the lenses of the common good. Our goal is to help communities of faith engage with the media ecosystem in ways that are thoughtful, effective, and grounded in Catholic social teaching. When citizens are trained to recognize false narratives, ask better questions, and contribute informed perspectives, democracy flourishes.
Join Our Apostolic Movement
The intersection of faith and media presents a profound opportunity. It allows believers to address ethical concerns, promote social justice, and model compassion. The Media Education Society exists to equip individuals to engage with media through a faith-formed conscience. This empowers communities to uphold values that strengthen the social fabric, enriching public discourse and ensuring that Catholic voices shape the media landscape with clarity, dignity, and grace. Your tax-deductible gift makes an impact today. Donate.
References
Benedict XVI. (2009, January 24). Message for the 43rd World Communications Day: New technologies, new relationships. Promoting a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship. Vatican.va. https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20090124_43rd-world-communications-day.html
Francis. (2019, January 24). Message for the 53rd World Communications Day: “We are members one of another” (Eph 4:25). From social network communities to the human community. Vatican.va. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/communications/documents/papa-francesco_20190124_messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali.html
Francis. (2025, January 9). Address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. Vatican.va. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2025/january/documents/20250109-corpo-diplomatico.html
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