You’ll never believe what the pope said about clickbait in journalism
Pope Leo is making it clear — news organizations have a role in restoring truth in the world. Speaking Thursday at the Minds International Association Conference, he urged media leaders to act responsibly in an era of misinformation and manipulation.
In a world flooded with content, he warned that people are increasingly mistaking falsehood for truth and authenticity for artificiality. In other words, people need to ditch the clickbait.
“Communication must be freed from the misguided thinking that corrupts it, from unfair competition and from the degrading practice of so-called clickbait,” Pope Leo said. “News agencies are at the frontlines, and are called upon to act in the current communications environment according to principles – unfortunately not always shared – that unite the economic sustainability of the company with the protection of the right to accurate and balanced information.”
Pope acknowledges hard work of journalists
The pope also praised journalists who risk their lives to report from conflict zones like Gaza and Ukraine.
“If today we know what is happening in Gaza, Ukraine, and every other land bloodied by bombs, we largely owe it to them,” he said, stressing that journalism should never be criminalized.
After his remarks were shared on social media, reactions poured in. Some users applauded his message, while others criticized the state of modern journalism.
“Sadly, there is a difference between journalists and activists (from all sides) that pose as journalists,” one user wrote.
Another commented, “This would be true if journalists were more honest. Too many omit important stories, twist the facts, or outright lie to fit their far-left narrative.”
Calling out ‘junk information’
Citing Pope Francis, Pope Leo called for “courageous information engineers” to ensure communication remains truthful.
“As you well know, those who work for a news agency are expected to write quickly, under pressure, even in very complex and dramatic situations,” he said. “For these reasons, your service requires competence, courage and a sense of ethics. This is invaluable and must be an antidote to the proliferation of ‘junk’ information.”
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Pope Leo XIV chose his name in homage to Pope Leo XIII, who oversaw Catholicism in the Industrial Revolution in a way he hopes to oversee the digital revolution.
Ethics in the digital age
As technology continues to evolve, Pope Leo questioned who controls the tools shaping what the world reads and believes.
“Artificial intelligence is changing the way we receive information and communicate, but who directs it and for what purposes,” he asked. “We must be vigilant in order to ensure that technology does not replace human beings, and that the information and algorithms that govern it today are not in the hands of a few.”
He invoked American historian and philosopher Hannah Arendt, warning that societies risk totalitarianism when people can no longer tell truth from fiction.
“With your patient and rigorous work, you can act as a barrier against those who, through the ancient art of lying, seek to create divisions in order to rule by dividing,” he said. “You can also be a bulwark of civility against the quicksand of approximation and post-truth.”
Transparency and truth
Pope Leo closed his remarks with a call for transparency and accountability. He said open reporting helps restore citizens’ role as active participants in democracy.
“I urge you, never sell out your authority!” he said.
The post You’ll never believe what the pope said about clickbait in journalism appeared first on Straight Arrow News.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
