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The 16 Documents of Vatican II

Resolution 

Reflection 409  Based on the 1965 Vatican II document: 
Decree on The Media of Social Communications
- Article 12
(Comments welcome here)

 

This article explains how governments have a responsibility towards the media:

The public authority is bound by special responsibilities in view of the common good, to which these media are ordered. The same authority has, in virtue of its office, the duty of protecting and safeguarding true and just freedom of information, a freedom that is totally necessary for the welfare of contemporary society, especially when it is a question of freedom of the press. It ought also to encourage spiritual values, culture and the fine arts and guarantee the rights of those who wish to use the media.

The same public authority, is obliged, through the promulgation and careful enforcement of laws, to exercise a fitting and careful watch lest grave damage befall public morals and the welfare of society through the base use of these media.

Special care should be taken to safeguard young people from printed matter and performances which may be harmful at their age.

Many countries have allowed the media to practise "self-regulation".
But if you put "media self-regulation" into Google, you'll see many articles about the failure of self-regulation. Which means media needs government regulation. Which is what article 12 is all about

Jesus, please give politicians wisdom and courage in treating the question of media regulation