On the Pope’s addresses to the media. A study in the anthropology of communication Cover Image

O papieskich orędziach medialnych. Studium z antropologii komunikacji
On the Pope’s addresses to the media. A study in the anthropology of communication

Author(s): Aleksander Woźny
Subject(s): Culture and social structure , Theory of Communication
Published by: Norbertinum
Keywords: anthropology of communication; “apostles of the media”; engineering‑communication model; orchestral‑communication model; communities

Summary/Abstract: An analysis of the Pope’s addresses for World Mass Media Day shows an interesting tendency, i.e. a gradual shift from the engineering‑communication model to the orchestral‑communication model. According to the former, communication is limited to transmission, and latter sees it as a matrix of culture. The characteristics of orchestral communication gradually intensify in the addresses of John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. In their speeches the mass media are compared to a road, and journalists are “the apostles of the media”. The Internetis referred to as the modern Areopagus, an agora which provides an opportunity to meet and build harmonious relationships. The 2016 address of Pope Francis entitled “Communication and Mercy – a fruitful encounter” clearly demonstrates the use of the orchestral‑communication model which is not limited to information and strongly emphasises the role of communities.

  • Issue Year: 2016
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 113-129
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: Polish