抗衡假新聞 To Combat False News

第五十二屆世界社會傳播日
主題：抗衡假新聞

執事讀高小的時候，中文老師苦口婆心地鼓勵同學們，閱讀【華僑日報】，提高中文的水平，以應付升中考試。當年，報紙是最有效力的大眾傳媒。隨著時代的遷移，大眾傳媒憑藉科技的發展，由電影、播音、電視以致今天的互聯網，更深入和更全面地影響著每個人的生活。從前，祗有國防部、銀行和大機構纔擁有電腦；今天，每人手上的流動電話，它的運算能力，比當年計算登陸月球的「亞頗羅計劃」的電腦，強勁32,000倍 ¹！倘若你覺得這不同年代的比較不公平，讓我告訴你，你的手機所擁有的運算能力，足以媲美1996年擊敗國際象棋特級大師卡斯帕洛夫的「IBM深藍」。新的科技固然帶來更大的方便和更高的工作效率，但正如一則亞爾巴尼亞諺語所云：「火可以是忠僕，亦可以是惡主」。倘若我們不善用這些科技，我們不但成為受害人，更成為它的奴隸。現在，讓我們認識互聯網，帶給我們甚麼的影響。

1. 互聯網是一個不斷進化的，免費的百科全書，可以想像到的資訊，應有盡有。從前祇有圖書館纔可擁有的【大英百科全書】，今天的維基百科Wikipedia，幾乎可以取代它的地位，更重要的，它是免費的。相信大家手機中的應用程式，大多數是免費的。免費的東西，如何保證它能維持下去？答案就是廣告。稍後會解釋。
2. 互聯網打破了地域與時間的限制。從前因為天氣惡劣而停課，今天即使停課，同學們仍然可以留在家中，透過互聯網自學和交功課。從前跨國機構召開會議，來自世界各地的人，舟車勞頓，集合一起討論議決。今天透過互聯網和透過視像會議，節省了不少交通和酒店食宿開支；行動不便的人歡迎互聯網，因為「足不出戶而知天下事」不再是夢想，連彌撒也有直播，雖然未能領聖體，但總算履行了做教友的本份！
3. 互聯網使全世界「民主化」。從前，出版一份報紙，不但須要資金，更須要有份量的稿件。拍攝一齣電影，須要明星和劇本。今天，你和我祇需繳付數十元的月費，便可在互聯網上寫微博、在「臉書」上發表意見、上傳相片到 Instagram，你和我都可以成為記者，報導災難或戰爭的現場；又或者把短片發報到Youtube去，賺取陌生人的Like，吸引讀者訂閱。祇要點擊率達到一百萬，便會有商人接觸你，在你的頻道Channel賣廣告！你和我不必投資上千萬，祇要一機在手，便可以成為大明星、大導演和KOL了！倡議民主的人歡迎互聯網，因為出版事業不再是大財團的專利，每個人都可以在互聯網上發表意見，做記者，做時事評論員，做總編輯！不過，為了增加「點擊率」，「標題黨」便應運而生。在矚目的標題之下，大部份都是「貨不對辦」的垃圾！

傳統上，大眾傳媒負有四大使命。即是提供資訊、提供娛樂、製造輿論和監察政府。資訊要求真和及時，娛樂要求美，輿論和監察要求善！每天與市民接觸的報紙、電台、電視和互聯網，既然操控著如此強而有力的資源，就應按真善美的準則來履行這四個使命。但是，在互聯網的時代，在你和我都成為了記者的時代，我們有沒有按真善美的準則，來承擔大眾傳媒的使命呢？

例如：當郵政服務開始的時候，就有「連鎖信」的濫用，當中夾雜了祝福和恐嚇！當我們發展到使用電郵的時候，經常會收到一些利用人類慈悲心的惡作劇信件，說某某患了癌症，祇餘下半年壽命，沒有醫藥費。請收到電郵後，轉發給朋友，電訊公司便會按每封轉發的電郵，贊助三美仙云云。倘若是真的，這封電郵一定有病毒，否則電訊公司如何跟蹤你轉發的電郵呢？當你好心轉發給朋友的時候，你豈不是把病毒傳給你的朋友，苦害了他們？通常，這類電郵沒有標明日期和出處，即是說，當你收到電郵的時候，病人可能已在十多年前去世了。結果，一年半載之後，我仍會收到類似的電郵，真是啼笑皆非，信中的病人，不是已經死了嗎？更惡毒的，就是信中附有醫生或者相關人士的查詢電話！這位可憐的醫生，不知收到過多少個認真求證的電話了！原來這是一個報復、甚至是網上欺凌的手段！你竟然成了幫兇。

網上資訊的另一個缺點是質素。從前知名道高的報紙，會報導事實，揭發真相。可是，今天從網上，從WhatsApp傳來的資訊，有多少是真實的，有多少被人加鹽加醋呢？相信大家收過不少伊斯蘭教如何殘殺基督徒的資訊吧！連聖德蘭修女所創辦的仁愛傳教修會的修女也不能倖免，慘死在這些伊斯蘭國的凶徒手上。例如：2014年曾有一封廣傳的電郵，說ISIS已佔領伊拉克Queragosh城，並在城內有系統地把基督徒斬首。電郵呼籲為Queragosh的基督徒祈禱，並捐助一個所謂「國際危機救援」的組織 ²。今年，當伊斯蘭國已被擊退了，這電郵再一次在WhatsApp散播！這種假消息，不但是假，而且煽動仇恨的情緒。倘若我們不假思索，盲目地傳給我們的朋友群組，我們便成了一個不負責任的記者，不負責任的謠言散播者，有違真善美的原則和至真至善至美的天主了！

教宗方濟各把今年，第52屆世界社會傳播節的主題，聚焦在假新聞上 。有甚麼方法驗證消息的真偽呢？首先，要找獨立的媒體，看看相關的報導。其次，我們不能偏聽！雨傘運動展示了一個互聯網的趨勢，就是彼此壁壘分明，互相謾罵，對方的意見，充耳不聞。這樣，我們祇會接受我們喜歡的消息，便容易被人蒙閉了。
最後，教宗說：「因此，確保消息來源的正確性，並小心謹慎的予以傳播，才是推動良善、 促進信任並開展共融與和平道路的真正方法。」³
各位兄弟姊妹，對於來歷不明，未能驗證的訊息，請不要轉發！
天主保祐！

LII World Communications Day
Theme: To Combat False News

When I was studying in senior primary, our Chinese teachers always advised all pupils to read Wah Yiu Yat Po to raise our Chinese proficiency in order to meet requirements of the Secondary School Entrance Examination. In those years, newspapers were the most powerful mass media. Time passes. Mass media went through the evolution from movies, radio broadcasting, TV and today the Internet. They become more intensive and extensive in affecting our daily life. Once upon a time, only the Department of Defence, Banks and Big Enterprises had computers installed. Today, the computing power of the mobile phones in our hands is 32,000 times more powerful than the computers that sent the Apollo's to the moon¹ . If you think this comparison is unfair, let me tell you, the computing power in your hand is comparable to IBM Deep Blue which defeated Kasparov, the Chess Grand Master in 1996. New technology makes life more convenient and productivity more efficient. But just like what an Albanian proverb says, "Fire is a good servant but a bad master." If we are unable to make good use of these technologies, not only will we become victims, but also their slaves. Now, let us know how the Internet affects our life.

1. The Internet is an ever evolving and free encyclopedia that contains any idea you can think of. Previously, only libraries can have a copy of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Today, Wikipedia can nearly take over its place. Moreover, it is free. I believe most of the Apps in your mobile phones are free of charge. How can we guarantee their survival? The answer is advertisement which we will explain later.
2. The Internet overcomes space-time limitations. Previously, schools closed on adverse weathers. Today, even if all schools are closed, students can stay home to study and submit homework through the Internet. Previously, executives from all over the world had to fly into one place to discuss and deliberate. Today, through the Internet and video conferencing, a lot of money is saved on transportation and accommodation. People with disabilities embrace the Internet because it is no longer a dream to stay home and know the world. Yes, they literally know the world without leaving their houses. Even masses go live. Though one cannot receive the Holy Communion, he has already fulfilled his Sunday obligation.
3. The Internet democratizes the world. Previously, one needed capital and quality articles to publish; stars and scripts to make a movie. Today, you and I only need to pay less than a hundred dollars to write blogs on the Internet, to air your voices on Facebook and to upload photographs to Instagram etc. You and I suddenly become reporters to cover disasters and wars live. We may upload video clips on Youtube to earn Likes from total strangers and to attract subscriptions. When the hit-rate reaches a million, publicity people will place advertisements on your channel. You and I do not need to invest millions of dollar. With a phone in hand, we can be movie stars, famous directors and KOL. Democracy advocates embrace the Internet because publishing is no longer controlled by cartels. Anybody can make their voice heard on the Internet. Anybody can be a journalist, a commentator of social issues and a chief editor! However, in order to enhance the hit-rate, "Headline Gangs" emerge. Underneath eye-catching headlines, most likely we only find irrelevant rubbish!

Traditionally, mass media carry out four social functions: to provide information, to entertain, to shape public opinions and to scrutinize government. Information is required to be true and timely, entertainment beautiful. Moulding public opinions and scrutinizing governments aim at goodness. Newspapers, radio and television stations as well as the Internet possess and control huge resources. They should follow the principles of truth, beauty and goodness to discharge the four social functions. In the age of the Internet, the age in which you and I are journalists, do we follow these principles to carry out our missions?

For example, at the dawn of postal service, there had already been abuses of chain letters which carry blessings and curses! When email was developed, people often received hoaxes which took advantage of people's compassion. These emails say so-and-so suffered from cancer, had only a few months to live and had no money. If we forwarded the email to friends, the Internet service provider would donate 3 cents etc. If it were true, the email must carry a virus. Otherwise, how could the ISP track your forward mails? You forwarded your friends out of good intentions. Were you not spreading virus to your friends? Usually these emails carry no date and no origins. That is to say, when you receive these emails, probably the patients mentioned might have died already for more than ten years. Subsequently, after some 20 months, you still receive such emails. How curious! Hadn't the patient already died? More maliciously, the email gave you the telephone number of the doctor or carer in charge. Poor doctor! Imagine how many verification telephone calls he had received! It turns out to be a revenge or even a means of cyber bullying! You become an accomplice!

The quality of information from the Internet is questionable. Previously, well-known papers reported and exposed the truth. But today, how many WhatsApp messages you have receives are immune to alterations or exaggerations? I am sure you must have received many messages about how Muslims butcher Christians! Even nuns of the Missionaries of Charity were victims of ISIS murderers! For example, in 2014, an email went viral. It claims that ISIS had captured Queragosh in Iraq and begun beheading Christians systematically inside the city. This email appeals for urgent prayers and donation to the "International Crisis Relief", a fictitious organization². This year, ISIS has receded. This email emerges and starts spreading in WhatsApp again. These hoaxes are not only fake, but they also fan up hatred. If we forward them blindly to our friend groups, we become irresponsible reporters, irresponsible rumour-mongers. We go against the principles of truth, goodness and beauty. We go against God who is true, good and beautiful.

This year, Pope Francis made "Fake News" the theme of the 52^nd World Communications Day⁴. How can we tell if a message is piece of fake news? First of all, cross check it with other independent media. Secondly, we cannot afford to listen to one side of a story only. The Umbrella Movement shows a trend on the Internet. People are polarized and exchange punches. They close their ears and do not listen to the other side. In this way, we only hear what we like to hear. Then we can be easily fooled.
Lastly, Pope Francis says, "That is why ensuring the accuracy of sources and protecting communication are real means of promoting goodness, generating trust, and opening the way to communion and peace."
Brethren, do not forward unverified messages from questionable sources.
God bless!

¹https://www.zmescience.com/research/technology/smartphone-power-compared-to-apollo-432/
²https://www.catholic.org/news/international/middle_east/story.php?id=57051
³http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/zh_tw/messages/communications/documents/papa-francesco_20180124_messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali.html
⁴http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/communications/documents/papa-francesco_20180124_messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali.html