Parliament of Worlds Religion 1999 Capetown SA

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 36

A CALL TO OUR GUIDING I
DECEMBER. 99
Che Call to the I ARTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA
In the great ancient religious and ethical traditions of humankind we find the directive: You shall not lie! Or in positive terms: Speak and act truthfully! Let us reflect anew on the consequences of this ancient directive: No woman or man, no institution, no state or church or religious community has the right to speak lies to other humans.
A
This is especially true
We envision a world in which ... the stories and images that matter most are those
that enrich understanding, deepen responsibility, and nurture personal growth; the networks of communication and modes of artistic expression that link diverse peoples, regions, and ways of life are characterized by integrity and mutuality; the arts and communications media play an active, thoughtful role in enabling a much wider discussion and more profound analysis of the most critical issues and decisions facing the human community; the sacred stories, symbols, and wisdom of the world's religious and spiritual traditions are broadly disseminated and cherished.
• for those who work in the mass media, to whom we entrust the freedom to report for the sake of truth and to whom we thus grant the office of guardian. They do not stand above morality but have the obligation to respect human dignity, human rights, and fundamental values. They are duty-bound to objectivity, fairness, and the preservation of human dignity. They have no right to intrude into individuals' private spheres, to manipulate public opinion, or to distort reality:
B
Among the noblest functions of the arts and of communications media is the weaving of a sense of community that comes from shared access to the central stories of a culture and the signal events of an era. As a transformative force, the arts and communications media have a special role: to inspire, warn, inform, challenge, set in perspective, and dramatize both our deeds and our dilemmas. In so doing, they energize, broaden, embolden, and deepen public discourse.
. for artists, writers, and
scientists, to whom we entrust artistic and academic freedom. They are not exempt from general ethical standards and must serve the truth.
Towards a Global Ethic:
An initial Declaration
1993 Parliament of the World's
Religions. Chicago
The freedom of the arts and of communications media to inform the public and critique society or government is essential to a just social order. This freedom must be exercised with care for the fabric of each society and the whole cloth of humanity. On the part of the arts, freedom demands a sensitivity to cultural and historical context. On the part of communications media, it also
1999 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIONS
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