Philippine Government Cracking Down Progressive Media; A Threat to Democracy or Not?
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Are the Filipinos partying for democracy under such kind of fascism towards the media? Can the Filipino journalists freely express their rage against the government? It is understood that the Philippines is a democratic country, and the whole world knows that. But why is it that the Philippine government is cracking down media at all fronts? While it is a public awareness that what the government is against is the media allegedly tagged as activists, left-leaning, and even communist, it can also truly be stated that it is doing what fascism is all about: prosecuting anti-government individuals and institutions.
Recently, the Philippine media was pressured by the Duterte’s administration due to unreported failure to pay taxes. However, what the media sees is that those who have been threatened are those who are critical in government’s war-on-drug campaigns and anti-Duterte journalists. Due to the fear of contract cancelation, many newspapers have shifted their reports in favour of the government. Is it really democratic? Filtering one’s own words to be accepted as legal is no democracy at all.
Even radio stations and local newspapers have been attacked by the government. Many of them received notice to close their establishments or else face imprisonment. An example is the radio stations operating in Davao City, Philippines that received such threat by banning their operation through the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) and by blocking their on-the-air services to the public. To respond to this, they are now petitioning with the aid of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippine (CBCP) to seek renewal of their contracts and operate based on their so-called true service to the people. Prior to this, the Philippine Congress immediately passed this law that threatens the media in the country.
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Another one is a giant news network in the Philippines called Rappler. The staffs of the said network were accused of selling their own control to a foreign company and violated one of the laws in the Philippine constitution, so the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) immediately ordered Rappler to end its business. Before this happened, the said news institution were vocal in exposing the atrocities committed by military and police officials against those allegedly named as drug addicts throughout the war-on-drugs of President Duterte. Is not it that the SEC is itself violating the Constitutional Provision in the country when the law promotes democracy while the government’s agencies limit their people to being one-sided?
Does the Philippines promote free press? Does the government protect the right of expression of every citizen because this threat is also a threat to every individual who speaks ugly in the eyes of the government? Meanwhile, many human rights advocates have been targeted by the administration for defending poor addicts who find means in engaging into illegal drugs just to feed their families. They added that if the government is really sincere in its commitment to end illegal drugs in the country, it should also have been hunting down big druglords. What is only observed is when only the poor addicts were imprisoned and killed on streets while the big druglords are enjoying their immunity. Many journalists also reacted to this. They claimed there is a lack of social justice happening in the country. The campaign has lost its essence in the long run. It is now seen as the battle between the poor and the haves.
On the other perspective, a Duterte’s critique from the Bulatlat News Press stated that it happened after the President declared an all-out-war against communists and progressive groups or commonly called as legal fronts that all go against the will of the current administration. The President has become paranoid that he thinks those progressive journalists are also communists or leftists. Whoever fights him is likely a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines or CPP. The worst case is when those who are in the opposition especially the Liberal Party have been allegedly meeting or being in a partnership with the Party. It is quite ridiculous to know how far his paranoia has gotten.
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To elaborate more about democracy is it in its effect when journalists have the freedom to listen to the voices of the ordinary people aside from being attentive to political personalities and their selfish policy-making? Journalist is in nature biased. However, being objective is the master-piece in every literature written from such profession. How can a single journalist just witness the cry of the people while the government is announcing its successful attempt to cleanse the streets from illegal traffickers? The campaign against illegal drugs is never bad, but the government should also address the root cause that gives factor to the engagement in the illegal activities among the people. Journalists are aware of this fact, and never acting blind.
With this act of the current Philippine administration, democracy is not only at risk, but also the power of the Philippine constitution. The Filipinos nowadays are starting to think that this set of rules can easily be twisted. Duterte as a lawyer knows about this, and the people have in their minds that this is dispensable. As an effect, the integrity of the constitution has already lost. They do not anymore respect the laws. Journalists are reflecting on what they felt during the Martial Law of late President Ferdinand Marcos when there was entirely no freedom to free press. They went underground and continued to release news illegally. Many of them who were caught were abducted and tortured (CEGP, 1990). Clearly, democracy is now being put into challenge.
The Philippine media fears that they will face the iron hand of the President when they truly serve the people through mass-oriented broadcasting. Spreading of false news among the journalists in the country might be the next problem if it persists, and eventually the people will no longer believe in every word the media says. It will ruin the integrity of the Philippine media. Duterte’s fascism threatens the good service of the journalists.
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i don't believe in media so I don't care
freedom is what scumbag wants,
media? they are already twisting story ever since!
dutertes administration is better than aquino who claim freedom for every addict,
Also believe that the current administration is better compared to the previous administrations that the country had.
Every democracy needs free press!
Democracy is just a rumor, everything is regulated. A real freedom is only achieve in a place with no central government.
People afraid to speak out. Even here.
There's nothing to be afraid as long as they are telling the truth.
Freedom of the press and of expression, is a right of every citizen. If a government wants to have control, then we know that nothing good comes.
Yes Indeed! , very nice saying sir @juvyjabian.
A threat to democracy. Everyone should be free in self expression. Very nice blog post @juvyjabian
ang lungsod nga mapasagaron maoy makapukan sa kagawasan.
Vote me please