Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople said last week during a visit to the Athens headquarters of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation that, contrary to a common journalistic view, “good itself is the news”.
“According to a journalistic opinion which we personally do not share, news does not hide in goodness, and goodness does not constitute news,” the Ecumenical Patriarch said.
“For us, however, the Good is the news, and the Good News stands at the centre of the Christian’s life,” His All-Holiness stressed.
The Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation is celebrating this year the 60th anniversary of the first television broadcast in the Greek language.
On this occasion, the Ecumenical Patriarch delivered a message in which he reflected on the institution’s national and cultural role, as well as on the mission of journalists in a world marked by challenges on every level.
“Journalists, and all who work in the field of information and communication, bear the great responsibility and also possess the power to serve the truth, with objectivity and respect for citizens,” Patriarch Bartholomew told journalists.
His All-Holiness described them as “unseen heroes” who sacrifice time and expertise in order to bring people the day’s news.
“All of you who labour daily know this well — most of you unseen heroes — fulfilling this important social mission for the complete and pluralistic information of the public, as well as for its varied and quality entertainment,” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I added.
Photo: Basilica.ro Files / Mircea Florescu
