Digital empathy ?

First day messages are tricky, especially for incoming chairs. Dr Samir Shah dropped the honorific for his opening email to all BBC staff, and told them he was on their side.

All quite straightforward, but I'm simply not sure what he's on about with this section ..

"We must also simply be a home. In a world where there are forces fracturing society, we should be a sanctuary for empathy and understanding. We are a thread that binds the fabric of society, a place where people from all walks of life, with every kind of view, can find something to enjoy"