Iron Fist: The Media Amidst Marcos’ Grasp
- DAZEL DAYRIT
- Dec 15, 2023
- 6 min read
"So how was it like during the Marcos years? It entirely depends on what one reads." - Joel Ruiz Butuyan, Flea Market of Ideas
The 1081 event “Media and Martial Law: A Retrospective” sheds light on the critical issue of media control and censorship under the regime of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in the Philippines. This is highly relevant to the course, “Introduction to the Dynamics of Political Change,” as it exemplifies how political leaders can use their power to suppress the free circulation of information and manipulate public perception for their benefit.
In a democracy, the free flow of information is essential for informed citizenry and accountable governance. It allows people to scrutinize their leaders and make informed decisions. The media, including newspapers, radio, and television, play a crucial role in ensuring that information is disseminated to the public. Furthermore, the freedom to criticize is an integral part of freedom of information, as it holds leaders accountable for their actions and encourages them to govern with integrity. Hence, journalists act as watchdogs, exposing errors, and wrongdoing by those in power since it is vital for the Philippines' democracy.
Looking back, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. recognized the power of the media and its role in shaping public opinion. To consolidate his power, he took drastic measures to control and silence the media. The issuance of Letter of Instruction No. 1, authorizing the military to seize major media outlets, marked a significant turning point in this endeavor. These actions were justified by accusing the media of being involved with the Communist movement and spreading subversive materials through his mastered art of political rhetoric. By controlling the media landscape and suppressing dissenting voices, it was clear that Marcos aimed one thing: to maintain a monopoly on the truth.
"Nothing personal, gentlemen. I was ordered to neutralize you. Please cooperate. We’ll try to make things easier for you." - Fidel V. Ramos
The arrests of prominent journalists and publishers, such as Teodoro Locsin, Sr. and Chino Roces, illustrate the extent to which Marcos was willing to go to silence criticism. These individuals were targeted for their role in reporting on government abuses and exposing weaknesses in the administration. However, it is crucial to note that not all media outlets were entirely wiped out during Martial Law. Some continued to operate, but they were controlled by Marcos’s cronies, effectively ensuring that the government’s narrative prevailed.
Primitivo Mijares, as the Chairman of the Media Advisory Council, played a pivotal role in dictating and censoring content in all forms of media. His confession about fabricating stories to support the government's narrative, as well as the tactics used to create a pretext for declaring Martial Law, highlights the extent of manipulation and control over information. Marcos’s appearances on international platforms where he denied censorship while actively suppressing the media, further demonstrate how he used propaganda to shape public perception both nationally and internationally (Media Martial Law, nd).
Within the broader context, the discourse underscores the crucial role of a strong and independent media in supporting the core principles of a well-functioning democracy. It emphasizes the delicate balance needed to keep the media acting as a watchdog rather than a mouthpiece for those in power. This cautionary tale is not confined by borders, stressing how universally important it is to protect press freedom as a fundamental aspect of democratic governance.
As we engage in this retrospective perspective analysis, I firmly believe that as students, we are prompted to critically examine the multifaceted implications of media manipulation on societal norms, political discourse, and the very foundations of democracy. By delving into the nuances of our historical narrative, we are equipped with an understanding of how media, when harnessed by political leaders with unchecked power, can shape the trajectory of a nation and leave an indelible mark on its democratic ethos.
With respect to "indelible mark", the said discussion underscores the long-term consequences of media suppression. It points out that the impact extended beyond the immediate consequences, resulting in a culture of impunity and a weakening of democratic institutions. This aspect is crucial as it emphasizes the enduring effects of media control on a country's political landscape, reminding us of the need for vigilance in safeguarding media freedom to protect democratic values and institutions.
Ferdinand Marcos's manipulation of Media evidently had an enduring impact on contemporary Philippines. The shadow of Ferdinand Marcos still looms large over the nation's political landscape. While his regime was marked by human rights abuses, media suppression, and corruption, its effects continue to reverberate through contemporary Philippine society. One of the most enduring legacies of Marcos's rule is the distortion and revision of history, perpetuating the myth of a "golden era." This rewriting of history has had far-reaching consequences, paving the way for his son, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., to pursue political power and potentially ascend to the presidency.
"...It was a golden age of peace and prosperity if one reads fake or manipulated news. It was a golden age of corruption, abuses, and extreme hardship if one reads court records, economic data, and historical documents." - Joel Ruiz Butuyan, Flea Market of Ideas
Ferdinand Marcos Sr. understood the power of media and propaganda. By suppressing dissent and silencing critical voices in the media, Marcos's regime was able to craft a narrative that downplayed the human rights abuses, censorship, and economic plunder that marked his rule by painting his regime as the "golden era". This revisionist history created a perception that the Martial Law period was a time of stability, economic progress, and national pride. It conveniently omitted the widespread corruption, crony capitalism, and suppression of democratic institutions that characterized his regime.
This goes to show that the manipulation of history did not stop with Marcos Sr.'s rule. The subsequent governments failed to fully reckon with the atrocities of the past, allowing the distorted narrative to persist. The lack of comprehensive transitional justice mechanisms and truth-telling processes allowed Marcos loyalists and supporters to perpetuate the myth of a golden era. The legacy of this distorted narrative has seeped into the collective memory of the nation, making it challenging for younger generations to fully understand the true extent of the abuses and crimes committed during the Martial Law period.
Furthermore, the perpetuation of the Marcos myth has paved the way for Ferdinand Marcos's son, Bongbong Marcos, to emerge as the most powerful political figure in the Philippines. Despite the dark history of the Marcos regime, Bongbong has managed to leverage the nostalgia and revisionism surrounding his father's rule to build a political career. By capitalizing on the historical distortion, Bongbong has successfully rebranded his family as champions of the Philippines, steering away from any association with the authoritarian excesses of his father. The revisionist narrative that portrays his father's regime as the country's most prosperous era has helped him attract followers and maintain a veneer of legitimacy, despite the widespread human rights abuses and corruption that occurred during his father's rule. That said, the Marcos dynasty, with its network of loyalists and supporters, continues to be a formidable force in Philippine politics to this day.
Overall, I believe that it is the romanticized narrative of a supposed "golden era" which serves as a formidable barrier, preventing many Filipinos from confronting the harsh realities of the Martial Law period. This impediment is what hampers the nation's pursuit of genuine justice, reconciliation, and accountability. The endurance of this distorted narrative has facilitated the political resurgence of the Marcos dynasty, epitomized by the prominent role of Bongbong Marcos in contemporary politics. The persistence of this revisionist narrative underscores the ongoing influence of historical distortion on the democratic process. It serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role that historical memory, truth-telling, and accountability play in the journey of a nation.
In conclusion, events like this 1081 discussion are not just reflections on the past; they are beacons guiding the way forward. Recognizing and confronting the true history is an indispensable step in preventing the manipulation of the past from dictating the future of the nation. The significance of forums that shed light on historical truths cannot be overstated, as they pave the way for a more enlightened, just, and accountable democratic society.
References:
Butuyan, J. R. (2021, November 1). Marcos years: Golden age of what? | Inquirer Opinion. INQUIRER.net. https://opinion.inquirer.net/145870/marcos-years-golden-age-of-what
Martial Law Museum (n.d.). Breaking the News: Silencing the Media Under Martial Law. Martial Law Museum. https://martiallawmuseum.ph/magaral/breaking-the-news-silencing-the-media-under-martial-law/
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