Pope Francis denounced an era marked "by disinformation and polarization," with a few centers of power controlling an unprecedented amount of data and information. This is what the highest hierarch of the Catholic Church is thinking about the role of social networks in today's world.

In a message published on the occasion of the 59th World Communications Day, he lamented that communication awakens "fear and despair, prejudice and rancor, fanaticism and even hatred." He criticized the algorithms that "modify our perception of reality."

"Many times reality is simplified to arouse instinctive reactions; words are used as a dagger; even false or distorted information is used skillfully to launch messages aimed at inciting tempers, to provoke, to hurt," he insisted.

The pope's statements coincide with the controversy surrounding X, the social network owned by billionaire Elon Musk, in Europe. There, it is accused of spreading false information and manipulating public debate. Several institutions, groups, and personalities announced in recent weeks that they were leaving the social network or discontinuing activity on their accounts.

Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, owned by Mark Zuckerberg, also raised concerns in early January by ending its data verification program in the United States, which will be replaced by a system of context notes similar to the one used by X.

In a speech in which he quoted Martin Luther King, the supreme pontiff stressed, "There is also another worrying phenomenon, which we could define as the 'programmed dispersion of attention' through digital systems, which, by profiling us according to the logics of the market, modify our perception of reality."

On January 9, the Pope had already criticized an era of "fake news" and also warned of the aberrations of artificial intelligence, which he said is sometimes used to "manipulate consciences".

This reflection by Pope Francis raises the fundamental tension that exists today between freedom of expression and the proliferation of false information. Fact-checking, the central activity of journalism, is an indispensable resource for societies, since it allows for informed debate. The ability to dissent should not override the importance of contrasting and verifying information. This principle is essential to avoid the propagation of content that distorts reality.

The West has developed on the basis of a culture of verification, in which access to truth implies rigorous processes of investigation and corroboration. This pillar faces a particular challenge in the digital context, where the speed and global reach of platforms makes it easy for everyone to have an opinion, but for few to be right. Truth-building is a time-consuming process and was key to preserving social cohesion and ensuring transparency before digital disruption. Now the entire status quo is in question.

On the other hand, the owners of social networks are entrepreneurs who balance the objective of maximizing profits with the commitment to protect freedom of expression and promote the verification of information. The conflict between profitability and social responsibility can generate situations in which business decisions directly impact the quality of public debate. Recent examples, such as the end of verification programs on key platforms, underscore the need for regulations that balance these interests.

Pope Francis' message highlights a concern shared by various sectors of society. The way in which information is produced, distributed and consumed has profound implications for the perception of reality and the quality of citizen participation. The combination of technological advances and the concentration of power in the hands of a few demands a concerted effort to preserve the fundamental principles of communication.

World Communications Day is an opportunity to reflect on the future of journalism, technology and information. The challenges posed by the digital environment require solutions that protect both freedom of expression and the right to accurate information. In this sense, Pope Francis' denunciation acts as a reminder that the balance between these principles is essential for the strengthening of modern democracies.