The Holy See has called for greater digital responsibility and education to combat the growing threat of anti-Semitism in online discourse.
Speaking at the annual OSCE conference on addressing anti-Semitism, Fr. Domenico Vitolo emphasized that awareness, education, and responsible technology use are essential in eradicating discrimination against Jewish communities.
Fr. Vitolo, Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature to the Nordic Countries, stressed that tackling anti-Semitism requires a strong commitment to education.
“Only through an appropriate educational approach can anti-Semitism and discrimination be effectively and sustainably combated,” he stated, highlighting the role of knowledge in dismantling prejudice and stereotypes.
He added that raising awareness among children and young people is crucial in fostering respect for human dignity and protecting Jewish communities from hatred and intolerance.
With the rise of social media, anti-Semitic rhetoric now spreads faster and more widely than ever before.
The Holy See warned that the internet has created a "paradigm shift," where harmful content can easily go viral through algorithmic amplification, reaching a global audience.
Fr. Vitolo underscored the dangers of anonymous content creators and AI-generated misinformation, which candistort facts and mislead people.
He stressed that fighting cyber-hate is a shared responsibility, requiring action from individuals, organizations, and governments.
“For technology to uphold human dignity rather than harm it, and to foster peace instead of violence, society must take proactive steps in addressing these challenges,” he said.
Concluding his statement, Fr. Vitolo emphasized that online rights must be accompanied by responsibilities, just as they are in the physical world.
“If the same rights that people have offline are to be protected online, the corresponding duties and responsibilities must also be demanded online,” he stated.
The OSCE’s two-day conference gathered representatives from 57 member states to discuss a holistic approach to combating anti-Semitism and ensuring the protection of Jewish people and institutions.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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