Report on the 2026 World Communication Day Press Conference

His Bishop, Gerald Mamman Musa

Report on the 2026 World Communication Day Press Conference

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria hosted a press conference in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Communication Day, with Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa delivering a profound reflection on the theme: “Preserving Human Voices and Faces: The Courage to Speak and the Grace to Be Seen.”  

Bishop Musa emphasized that while humanity has never been more digitally connected, it has also never been so emotionally disconnected. He warned that the rise of artificial voices, images, and artificial intelligence risks eroding what is most sacred and real: the human voice and the human face.

He described the theme not as a technological issue but as a moral, spiritual, and human concern, rooted in the dignity of the person created in the image of God. Quoting Pope Leo XIV, he reminded the audience that “faces and voices are sacred,” and preserving them is preserving “this indelible reflection of God’s love.”

The Bishop highlighted the dangers of a society where only the powerful are heard while the weak remain voiceless. He stressed that justice begins when the marginalized, such as the poor, displaced, persecuted minorities, and victims of violence, are given platforms to speak for themselves.

He contrasted this with the anonymity of those who spread hatred, lies, and cybercrime, noting that evil often hides behind masks and false identities.  

Drawing on philosophical and theological insights, Bishop Musa referenced Emmanuel Levinas’ teaching that the human face is an ethical summons, and Martin Buber’s “I-Thou” relationship, which calls for encounters based on dignity and respect. He reminded the audience that Scripture consistently restores voices to the voiceless, citing the example of Bartimaeus, who refused to be silenced and cried out to Jesus for mercy.  

The Bishop also addressed the challenges posed by digital culture, including deepfake technology, online bullying, and the obsession with filtered appearances. He warned that while machines can imitate voices and faces, they cannot replace genuine human connection.

Pope Leo XIV’s caution was echoed: “The question is not what the machine can do, but what we can become with the wise use of such tools.”  

He noted the irony of living in an age of facial recognition technology while forgetting how to truly recognize one another as human beings. He praised whistle blowers, journalists, and human-rights defenders who risk their lives by showing their faces and speaking truth publicly, underscoring that democracy depends on visible courage and authentic voices.  

Bishop Musa concluded by urging society to protect authentic encounters, listen deeply to human stories, and teach young people that their worth lies not in digital applause but in being beloved children of God.

He stressed that the human voice carries conscience, truth, and love, while the human face reveals identity, dignity, and hope.  

Quoting Saint Paul’s exhortation to “speak the truth in love” and Jesus’ Beatitude, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” he called for integrity between public face and private character. He urged people to use their voices for healing and compassion, and to show their true faces in defense of justice and human dignity.  

The press conference closed with a prayerful appeal: that humanity may never become so technologically advanced that it forgets what it means to be human, and that future generations may inherit not only smarter machines but wiser, kinder, and more humane societies.