UGANDA: Bishop Odoki Appeals to Journalists to Use Their Skills in Promoting Human Growth
Rt Rev Sabino Ochan Odoki the bishop of Arua diocese while giving homily on Sunday 5th May 2024 at Ediofe Cathedral premises
Fr Isaac Ojok
Rt. Rev Sabino Ochan Odoki the Bishop of Arua Diocese in North Western Uganda has implored Catholic communicators in the country to use their profession to promote human growth in the society.
The prelate was addressing Catholic journalists, heads of Catholic media institutions and the Communications Coordinators from the nineteen dioceses in Uganda gathered at the communications week held at Christus Centre in Arua city, an event that began from 30th April to 5th May 2024.
The bishop went on to say that it is important for the Catholic media practitioners in the country to perform their duties with determination and love in a move for them to enlighten the community they serve.
While reflecting on the theme “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart towards a Fully Human Communication”, the bishop mentioned that Artificial Intelligence should be used in its right perspective to promote development by not allowing it to replace the wisdom that comes from human hearts.
He further reiterated that Artificial Intelligence can be a danger to human growth and society when not used properly but rather should be used to promote the mission of the Church since the mission of the Church cannot be carried out in isolation.
The bishop encouraged the communicators to always be the first in reporting facts and to distance themselves from the practice of spreading fake news among the people which may return to taint the image of the community.
“Let our media houses be effective and give correct information to the audience”, the bishop said in a statement while giving reflection.
He then encouraged the Catholic communicators to always be close to the Church to enable them to get correct and effective information without speculations.
“Be close to the Church to enable you to get the correct information for the consumption of the audience”, he added.
Bishop Odoki mentioned that he is happy that today many dioceses in Uganda now have radio stations and other digital channels of communication saying that such progress is a blessing to the church and should be used effectively in giving correct information to the audience.
According to Bishop Odoki, it is paramount for communicators to use their media to explain to the local people to understand new phenomena that are coming to enable them to understand and live rightly.
The bishop further urged the journalists to use various means of communication to disseminate and promote correct teachings of the church doctrines among the people to restore order and morality.
He emphasized that the use of communication means should help people reflect on their achievements and added that today the mass media has grown and should be embraced by everybody so that they can grow together in all aspects of life.
The celebration of the 58th World Day of Prayer for Social Communications will be held on 12h May 2024 under the theme, “Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart towards a fully human communication”.
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