Pope Francis criticises journalists who bring up old scandals and calls fake news a 'very serious sin'

Religious leader says journalists perform a mission among most 'fundamental' to democratic societies and they must not provide one-sided reports

The Vatican City sovereign plans to devote his upcoming annual communications message to 'fake news' (Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images)

Pope Francis is criticising journalists who dredge up old scandals and sensationalise the news, saying it's a "very serious sin" that hurts all involved.

Francis, who plans to dedicate his upcoming annual communications message to "fake news," told Catholic media on Saturday that journalists perform a mission that is among the most "fundamental" to democratic societies.

But he reminded them to provide precise, complete and correct information and not to provide one-sided reports.

The pope said: "You shouldn't fall into the 'sins of communication:' disinformation, or giving just one side, calumny that is sensationalised, or defamation, looking for things that are old news and have been dealt with and bringing them to light today."

He called those actions a "grave sin that hurts the heart of the journalist and hurts others."

AP