Archbishop Tagle and Bishop Vergara support efforts to uphold press freedom

In a report of Athena Imperial on “State of the Nation with Jessica Soho” on Friday, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle and Pasig Bishop Mylo Vergara express their support for efforts to uphold press freedom.

"The Church welcomes the potentials of the means of social communications to share the Gospel, to share the teachings of the Church," Tagle said.

Bishop Vergara, meanwhile, underscored the need to tell the truth.

"Courage not to compromise the freedom of telling the truth. Despite pressure from those in power and influence should be given priority," he said.

The two church leaders were guest speakers at the Forum on Catholic Media in Challenging Times held at the Lay Force Auditorium, San Carlos Seminary in Barangay Guadalupe, Makati City.

Cardinal Tagle on Friday said the freedom of receiving and sharing information are among the people's rights. 

"The right of the people to get information of course includes the freedom of people to share information. Kaya kasama doon 'yung freedom of the press," Tagle said in the video posted on TV Maria Facebook account.

"Hindi na nga opinion ito eh. It is our conviction that there should be freedom of people to share information and the freedom also and the right of people to receive," he added.

Meanwhile, journalist Howie Severino raised the need for improvement in education on media literacy.

"The silver lining in this information crisis is the opportunity for media literacy education to teach our audiences to be more discerning of information, how to detect lies, and to teach them to be more skeptical of the news," Severino said.

Bishop Vergara also said, "Through social media, we can bridge gaps, fortify relationships and strengthen our resolve to do what God wants for the common good." 

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Source: GMA News Online