Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 339

different features and proportions in different countries. These can include

the challenge of competition from commercial broadcasters, the conditioning

of politics understood as the carving up of power rather than service of the

common good, scarcity of economic resources made more acute by situations

of crisis, the impact of developments in new technologies of communication,

the laborious search for viewers and listeners. But the challenges of the

modern world on which you have to report are too great and too urgent to

let yourselves become discouraged or tempted to give up in the face of such

difficulties.

Twenty years ago, in 1991, when your General Assembly was received in

the Vatican by the Venerable John Paul II, whom tomorrow I shall have the

joy of beatifying, he encouraged you to develop your mutual collaboration in

order to favour the growth of the community of the peoples of the world.

Today, I think of the processes unfolding in certain countries of the Medi-

terranean and the Middle East, some of which are also members of your

Association. We know that the new forms of communication continue to play

a role of some significance in these very processes. I urge you to place your

international contacts and activities at the service of reflection and commit-

ment aimed at ensuring that the instruments of social communication pro-

mote dialogue, peace and development of peoples in solidarity, overcoming

cultural separation, uncertainties and fears.

Finally, dear friends, while I sincerely wish all of you and your Associa-

tion much success in your work, I would also like to express my thanks for

the specific collaboration that on many occasions you have provided for my

ministry, and that you continue to provide, as during the great festivals of

Christmas and Easter, or on my apostolic journeys. For me too, and for the

Catholic Church, you are therefore important allies and friends in our

mission. In this spirit I am pleased to invoke the Lord's blessing upon

all of you, upon those who are dear to you and upon your work.