---
title: "Pope Francis condemns misinformation as 'first sin of journalism'"
url: https://moldova1.md/p/15056/pope-francis-condemns-misinformation-as-first-sin-of-journalism-
published: 2023-08-27T14:40:00Z
language: en
section: "International"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Pope Francis condemns misinformation as 'first sin of journalism'

> Pope Francis on Saturday condemned "misinformation" and fake news, which he said are "the first sin of journalism" in an attempt to influence public opinion.

Pope Francis on Saturday condemned *"misinformation"* and fake news, which he said are *"the first sin of journalism"* in an attempt to influence public opinion.

![hotnews.ro](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/e595f796-4c77-47f4-842d-199c8db01891.jpg)

*Sursa: hotnews.ro*

*"Misinformation is the first of the sins, the mistakes - let's say so - of journalism,"* he said during an audience at the Vatican for the presentation of a journalism prize in the presence of Italian journalists.

*"Misinformation is one of the sins of journalism. There are four of them: misinformation, when a journalist does not inform or informs badly; slander (sometimes used); defamation, which is different from slander, but destroys; and the fourth (...), love of scandal,"* the pope said, quoted in a Vatican statement.

*"For example, the manipulations of those who spread fake news out of interest to influence public opinion worry me,"* he explained, calling for *"an explosion of responsibility"* in *"the dramatic situation that Europe is going through, through the continuation of the war in Ukraine."*

A talented communicator, Pope Francis has granted numerous interviews since his election, being much more open and comfortable in this exercise than his predecessor, Benedict XVI.