Articles
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Japan Catholic News
October 2009
"Nippon Notes" by William
Grimm
DON’T STOP THE PRESSES — YET
UCA News
Throughout
the world, newspapers appear to be on the verge of extinction. Electronic
media, beginning with radio and television, but now especially the
Internet, have drawn readers away from the printed page as a means
of distributing news.
The result has been a loss in subscription and advertising revenue
for newspaper companies and, consequently, the possibility of their
financial collapse.
Several newspapers have given up print altogether and publish solely
on the Internet. It remains to be seen if such a move will stave
off extinction for organizations that have relied upon print and
are hesitantly and sadly turning toward other media.
Young people, especially, do not look to newspapers for information.
The situation is exemplified by a recent cartoon that shows two young
people reading news on their computers. One youth says to the other, "Hey,
you know what's cool? If your batteries run out you can go down to
the store and they have the news all printed out on paper!"
In many places, the same problem faces the Catholic press. Not only
is information available through non-print media, but people who
have lost the habit of picking up newspapers to get information are
unlikely to make an exception for Church news. Young people, the
Church of the future, may never even think to pick up a Catholic
newspaper, or even know that such things exist. The demise of the
Catholic press is inevitable.
But, at least in Asia, it may still be a bit early to make funeral
arrangements.
News and other information that can be acquired from the Internet
require access to a computer and the ability to use it. Many of Asia's
Catholics are too poor to afford such luxuries even if they are available.
In some countries such as Japan, an ageing Catholic population is
less likely than younger generations to use computers.
For another few decades (two to four?), Catholic journalism will
rely to some decreasing extent upon the printing press to turn out
local-language news of the Church at home and around the world. But,
even so, every editor's desk should have on it a picture of a tombstone
with the name of his or her publication on it.
This does not mean the death of Catholic journalism. The Church's
need for truly honest, relevant and useful sources of information
for Asia's Catholics will grow even as the medium that distributed
it in the past diminishes.
The Holy Spirit is active in Asia. Our vocation as Catholics is
to know, give thanks for and proclaim that fact. The Spirit works
through God's people, but for the most part, our parishes in Asia
are small and scattered, and opportunities to know each other are
limited. Catholic journalism provides one of the few tools to introduce
us to Christians not only in our own countries, but around the world.
When we see other Catholics' activities, we learn new ways to pray,
to worship and to live and share our faith.
We are part of a world Church. Our brothers and sisters live in
every land and time. Catholic journalists enable us to meet them
and learn how they are a "light for the world." Scripture,
history and the lives of the saints speak of what God has done for
and through His people in the past. Journalism tells us what God
is doing for and through His people today. We also learn how the
Pope, bishops and other Church leaders guide us in our Christian
life and proclamation.
Homilies, Scripture study and other parish, diocesan and national
programs help adults deepen their faith. But, not all Catholics have
the time or opportunity to join such groups even if they exist.
Catholic media, whether on paper or a screen, are tools for on-going
formation as adult Catholics.
Finally, a truly responsive media is a place where we can share
ideas and experience through columns, letters, comments on blogs,
Facebook and other formats.
The time has already passed for those involved in Catholic media
to prepare for the post-print age. The electronic age is upon us,
and we have no choice but to move toward the death of the Catholic
press. The role of Catholic journalism shall remain, even though
the mode of delivery will change. This period of decline can and
should be a time to develop the necessary journalistic skills for
whatever media the future requires.
Maryknoll Father William Grimm is the publisher of UCA News and
former editor-in-chief of Katorikku Shimbun, Japan's Catholic weekly.
Opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer and do
not represent the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan.
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