REPORTAGE

Pope: Gossip Journalism Is ‘Terrorism’

Warns journalists against spreading rumors.

Pope Francis said Thursday that gossip-based journalism is akin to “terrorism” because it is an example of “how you can kill a person with your tongue.” The pontiff made the remarks during an address to Italy’s national journalists’ union. In Italy, it is common practice for rival newspapers—and those with differing political views—to hurl unsubstantiated accusations at each other in an effort to discredit one another. “This is even more true for journalists because their voice can reach everyone and this is a very powerful weapon,” Francis continued, warning against the use of reporting as a “weapon of destruction against persons and even entire peoples.”