WCC NEWS: Christian communicators urge technologies that unite

The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) is urging us all to use and promote technologies to unite people and communities divided by adversity.

“As the coronavirus raises physical and psychological barriers—and as people and communities are experiencing varying degrees of isolation, fear, and despair—it is all the more important that communication technologies, especially social media and digital platforms, are used to convey trustworthy information and stories of courage and hope,” states WACC’s response to the ongoing situation regarding COVID-19

“One of our guiding principles, as we state in this response, is that communication plays a crucial role in strengthening peace, security, and social justice,” said Philip Lee, general secretary. “Communication is the invisible bond that holds communities together.”

Communities are enriched by open, honest and transparent dialogue, WACC maintains. “This applies equally to a neighbourhood or village, a city, a religious community, or a community of nations,” it states. “Unfortunately, in an era of digital communication, we need to be all the more wary of disinformation.”

WACC recently proposed ten principles to guide communication in today’s digital spheres. Among the principles are that “everyone is entitled to accessible communication, information and knowledge at affordable levels,” and “everyone is entitled to a diversity of opinions and points of view.”

WACC notes that, in times of isolation, people and communities need effective and trustworthy means of communication. “Digital technologies can provide ways for people to stay in touch as well as vital information that can save lives,” it states. “Open access to the digital sphere is a prime example of communication rights in practice.”

World Association for Christian Communication: Communication and community in times of isolation

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway.

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