VATICAN CITY, Jan 24: The media has to be careful not to "demonize" entire cultures, countries or ethnic groups, otherwise it runs the risk of fomenting violence, war and even genocide, Pope John Paul said on Monday.

In his message for the Roman Catholic Church's World Day of Social Communications, to be celebrated this year on May 8, the Pope said that today more than ever the media had to be aware of its enormous power to either unite or divide people.

"When others are portrayed in hostile terms, seeds of conflict are sown which can all too easily escalate into violence, war, or even genocide," he said in the written message.

"Instead of building unity and understanding, the media can be used to demonise other social, ethnic and religious groups, fomenting fear and hatred," he said.

The Pope gave no specific examples but in the wake of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks against the United States and the Iraq war, various media reviews and studies have pointed out the risks of stereotyping from both the Western and Muslim worlds.

"Those responsible for the style and content of what is communicated have a grave duty to ensure that this does not happen," he said. The Pope said today's media had to take advantage of what he called the "unprecedented possibilities for good" offered by modern technology to spread truth, harmony and reconciliation.

"Accurate knowledge promotes understanding, dispels prejudice, and awakens the desire to learn more. Images especially have the power to convey lasting impressions and to shape attitudes," he said.

"They teach people how to regard members of other groups and nations, subtly influencing whether they are considered as friends or enemies, allies or potential adversaries," he said.

Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the Pope dedicated his daily private Mass in the Vatican on Monday morning to journalists, praying so they would be able to carry out their profession properly and ethically.

"Indeed, the media have enormous potential for promoting peace and building bridges between peoples, breaking the fatal cycle of violence, reprisal, and fresh violence that is so widespread today," the Pope said in his message. -Reuters