RATCHABURI (LiCAS): The Catholic Church in Thailand marked World Communications Day on August 3 by urging communicators to speak with truth and gentleness, confronting growing misuse of artificial intelligence [AI] and digital disinformation.
Bishop Silvio Siripong Charatsri of Ratchaburi, led the Mass at the Nativity of Our Lady Cathedral. Clergy, religious, media professionals, and lay communicators from across the country joined the liturgy and a forum on ethical communication in the digital age.
“World Communications Day is normally celebrated on the Sunday before Pentecost, as established by Pope Paul VI in 1967 following the Second Vatican Council,” Bishop Silvio said in his homily, explaining that “for local pastoral reasons, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand [CBCT] observes it annually on the first Sunday of August.”
Pope Francis, before his death earlier this year, chose this year’s theme: “Speak with the heart: Veritatem facientes in caritate – Sharing the truth in love.” The bishops’ conference paraphrased it locally as “Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts.”
False images and fabricated news reports are being generated using AI tools and circulated widely to stir emotions and discredit Thailand
Communications panelist from the CBCT Office of Social Communication
A panel discussion after the Mass focused on the spread of AI-generated misinformation and fake news, especially amid tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border.
“False images and fabricated news reports are being generated using AI tools and circulated widely to stir emotions and discredit Thailand,” a communications panelist from the CBCT Office of Social Communication told attendees. “When falsehoods are blended with elements of truth, it becomes harder to distinguish fact from fiction. This erodes public trust and encourages hostile reactions online.”
Panelists showed examples of digitally altered photos, manipulated videos, and fabricated headlines shared on social media platforms.
They traced some of these materials to sources outside Thailand and warned that such content represents a new form of digital propaganda that threatens peace and truth.
Let us disarm communication of prejudice, resentment, and hatred. Let us disarm words, and we will help disarm the world
Pope Leo XIV
Father Joseph Anucha Chaiyadej, executive director of the CBCT’s Episcopal Commission for Social Communications, said, “Pope Francis was deeply concerned about how aggressive and violent communication leads to social fragmentation and emotional manipulation. He constantly reminded us that gentleness is not weakness, but strength under control.”
His successor, Pope Leo XIV, told journalists on May 12, “We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images; we must reject the paradigm of war,” Pope Leo told global media representatives. “Let us disarm communication of prejudice, resentment, and hatred. Let us disarm words, and we will help disarm the world.”
He said, “Communication is not merely the transmission of information. It creates culture and forms both human and digital environments. These must become spaces for dialogue and truth-seeking, not arenas of division.”
The celebration concluded with a concert featuring popular Thai Christian artists who performed gospel-themed songs to inspire peace, hope, and reflection.
