Expectation vs. Reality: The Duterte Admin

The present does not seem to hold that much promise either. A familiar name now returns in power and, quite possibly, brings with it a familiar trail of events. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. now walks in as the 17th President of the Philippines. The ring of the Marcos name recalls those dark days, and we begin to fear for the freedom of the press that we’ve tried so hard to protect.

A trip back to the dark days

Journalists had to walk on eggshells during one of the darkest times of press freedom in the country. The mouth that spoke—or wanted to speak—the truth was clammed up by the dictator who wanted his name to stay pristine: 10th President of the Philippines Marcos Sr. All efforts to arm the military with the strength and power, perhaps so no one would disobey the government, was all but blatant. These efforts spanned from the shutdown and takeover of private media outlets, arrests and torture of journalists and media owners, to seizing complete control over the media and establishing blanket censorship and regulation, ensuring that information is simmered down to nothing but a blind appreciation for the government and its leader. No one would expect press freedom to flourish in such conditions. It was a strategic plot that stemmed from evoking fear in those who knew and wanted to shout the truth, a job every journalist is responsible for.

The battle continues

The Philippines has since moved towards an arguably brighter path as far as press freedom is concerned, at least, when compared to those dark days. That said, the question of whether or not press freedom is still alive in this country is up in the air. With a dwindling World Press Freedom Index, now positioning itself at 141 out of 180 countries for 2022 as evidenced by quite the tumultuous trail of events over the recent years, the Philippines is still far from winning its battle for press freedom.

One of the boldest actions taken as a way to pose a threat to journalists is the shutdown of one of the biggest media outlets, ABS-CBN, whose first shutdown also took place under the Martial Law. We’ve since seen more of these attacks, like the blocking of an alternative media website page Bulatlat, and now the looming shutdown of Nobel Peace Prize Awardee Maria Ressa’s Rappler, Inc. This is the present reality of journalism and press freedom in the country and sadly, it seems as though we are marching towards the decline of press freedom. Now with our greatest battle yet against the immensely thriving misinformation and disinformation, our grip on the truth wanes even more.

New throne, new sitting arrangements

With the transition of a new leadership comes new seats to fill as some are unseated. There is now an evident juxtaposition between the old view of “less is more” and the current reality that sheer numbers can overcome the intrinsic value of the noble less. The role of the press was conveniently questioned, ignored and discredited during the campaign period, as observed by Political Journalist Christian Esguerra and Rappler Senior Reporter Pia Ranada. And the game of numbers became evermore clear, at the expense of the Fourth estate’s watchdogs and the sacred trust placed upon their guard.

Alternately, vloggers and influencers began to sit on special access, velvet-cushioned, gold-laced seats in front. It was not long when Press Secretary Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, a lawyer-vlogger herself, proclaimed that the accreditation of vloggers will be a priority measure. Members of the journalism academe and the press, nevertheless, received the news with a grain of salt as editorial and ethical standards were raised.

In his 33 years of practice, Veteran Journalist Froilan Gallardo noted that, “The public eagerly accepted them (vloggers) as the gospel of truth compared to the mainstream media… [sic] The public eagerly assigned them as hook, line and sinker.”

Given the constricting experience in the campaigns, stirring questions on where the press sits in this administration were put forward as Gallardo realized, “It seems that for the first time in the history ng Pilipinas, mainstream media is relegated to the backburner (and) backside.” It begged to recall a historical precedent during late dictator Marcos Sr.’s reign when journalists who were doing their supposed job were pushed to the back, if not to the edges.

However, the subtle difference observed at present is that trust ratings became the consequential expense. Certain brands of the Philippine media industry slid in rankings and independent outlets were “actively distrusted by supporters of the politicians in question,” Vera Files Co-Founder Yvonne T. Chua described in a Reuters Institute Digital News Report. It is one of the wary signs prevailing in Asia’s oldest democracy.

Gallardo stressed that, moving forward, mainstream media will redefine itself without sacrificing its credibility, pointing out that media outfits will keep up with new methods of reaching the masses as deemed necessary.

“We will still be vetting our stories… [sic] Hindi matatalo ang mainstream because we are on the truth’s side,” he emphasized.

At the end of the aisle

“Journalism is not meant to make the government look good or look bad at all… [sic] it’s not working against the government, but it’s also not working for the government. It’s working with the government,” said XU Development Communication Department Chairperson Rechelle Ann Tolinero-Barraquias who has actively worked towards media and information literacy campaigns in the region.

More than a challenge among the members of the press, the looming projection of fear and disinformation affects all of civil society. With Marcos Jr.’s large mandate, henceforth, comes a much larger mandate of the people to remain in truth.

At the end of the aisle must, therefore, be the very trait that every audience and consumer must buy into in a disinformation-plagued democracy— to be more critical of information from all sides.

Barraquias suggests that in order to help keep press freedom, journalists, and media organizations afloat, as consumers, we should also practice the skills of being critical with the information that they provide, not because of a familiar namesake in power or constricting duty to do so, but because it is an apt order of thought and action among ordinary Filipino citizens amid high stakes for the truth of both our nation’s past and future.

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The future bears uncertainty, especially amidst the lies veiled in the guise of truth. Flowing against the streams of misinformation and disinformation, our battle for the truth is still a long one, but it continues no matter who sits in power. The call to be critical about the myriad of information we’re constantly exposed to now intensifies, and each of us hold a responsibility for the truth. In a future that seems to hold darkness, we cast our light and seek for what’s true and what’s right. Only then can we protect the future that will hold promise for our nation. C

Journalism is not meant to make the government look good or look bad at all… [sic] it’s not working against the government, but it’s also not working for the government. It’s working with the government.

Rechelle Ann Tolinero-Barraquias

Department Chairperson XU Development Communications Department