Pope Francis: Reporting on Scandals a ‘Sin'

Pope Francis declared in an interview published Wednesday that reporting on scandals that discredit others is a “sin.” The pontiff delivered a strong rebuke of the news media and its motivation to cover and give attention to scandals. “I think the media have to be very clear, very transparent, and not fall into—no offense intended—the sickness of coprophilia, that is, always wanting to cover scandals, covering nasty things, even if they are true,” he said, adding that it is a “sin” and “hurtful” to spread damning information about politicians, or anyone. “It directs opinion in only one direction and omits the other part of the truth.”