Philippine media under attack: Press freedom after two years of Duterte
Summary
TLDRThe transcript explores the growing tensions between Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's administration and the media. It highlights a series of attacks, threats, and legal actions taken against journalists and media organizations that have reported critically on Duterte’s policies, particularly his controversial war on drugs. The narrative touches on the weaponization of social media to discredit journalists, the spread of misinformation, and the rise of online harassment. Despite these challenges, the press continues to resist, with journalists standing firm in their commitment to report the truth, even amid threats of violence and death.
Takeaways
- 🗞️ The Philippine media is facing a new normal of antagonism from the government, with a record of 85 cases of attacks and threats against the press.
- 🔍 Nine journalists have been killed, and there have been numerous libel cases, online harassment, and intimidation tactics used against media personnel.
- 📰 The Philippine Daily Inquirer, the newspaper with the largest circulation, has been a primary target of public attacks by President Duterte.
- 📺 President Duterte has threatened to block the franchise renewal of the country's largest TV network, ABS-CBN, accusing it of swindling and bias.
- ⚖️ The government has used legal means such as revoking licenses and accusing media outlets of libel and tax evasion to suppress critical voices.
- 💬 Social media has been weaponized to target journalists and spread disinformation, with terms like 'fake news' and 'prostitute' being used to discredit them.
- 🌐 Foreign correspondents have been barred from covering press conferences, and online attacks have become personal, focusing on the appearance and gender of female journalists.
- 📈 There has been a significant drop in public trust in the media, with the government's propaganda efforts seemingly successful in shaping public opinion.
- 📉 The Philippines slid six spots in the World Press Freedom Index, indicating a decline in press freedom under the Duterte administration.
- 🔒 Despite threats and harassment, journalists in the Philippines continue to report on critical issues and stand their ground against intimidation.
Q & A
What is the main concern raised in the transcript about the Philippine media?
-The transcript raises concerns about the increasing attacks, threats, and intimidation against the Philippine media, including killings, libel cases, online harassment, and surveillance of journalists and media agencies.
How many journalists have been killed as per the records mentioned in the transcript?
-According to the transcript, nine journalists have been killed.
What specific actions has the Duterte administration taken against the Philippine Daily Inquirer?
-The Duterte administration has publicly criticized the Philippine Daily Inquirer over reports it deems unfair, accused the Prieto family of owing taxes, and threatened to block the renewal of its franchise.
What is the significance of the ABS-CBN franchise issue mentioned in the transcript?
-The transcript mentions that President Duterte warned he would block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, accusing the network of swindling and not airing his political ads during the 2016 campaign, despite being paid for.
What allegations were made against Rappler in the transcript?
-Rappler was accused of being a fake news outlet, of being fully owned by Americans which would violate the 1987 Philippine Constitution, and its license to operate was revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission for allegedly violating the Constitution and the anti-dummy law.
How has social media been weaponized against journalists as described in the transcript?
-Social media has been weaponized by state propaganda, trolls, and click farms targeting journalists and dissenters with systematic attacks, including the use of derogatory terms, misinformation, and cyber attacks.
What is the term 'byran' used for in the context of the transcript?
-In the context of the transcript, 'byran' is a term used in social media attacks against journalists, derived from a wordplay of 'press' and 'prostitute', implying bias or corruption in journalism.
How has the Duterte administration's approach to the media affected public trust according to the transcript?
-The transcript suggests that the Duterte administration's actions have eroded public trust in the media, with extreme trust in the government almost tripling since 2015, while trust in the media has dropped for the first time in history.
What challenges do journalists face as described in the transcript?
-Journalists face various challenges including harassment, online threats, accusations of bias, being called fake news, sexual harassment, and threats to their families, as detailed in the transcript.
What is the transcript's stance on the state of press freedom in the Philippines under the Duterte administration?
-The transcript portrays a negative stance on press freedom, suggesting that the Duterte administration has created a toxic environment for journalists through online attacks, legal harassment, and attempts to control media outlets.
Outlines
📰 Press Freedom Under Attack in the Philippines
The first paragraph discusses the deteriorating state of press freedom in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. It highlights the increasing number of attacks and threats against journalists, with at least 85 cases recorded, including the killing of nine journalists. The Philippine Daily Inquirer and ABS-CBN are specifically targeted for their critical reporting. The government is accused of using legal harassment, online attacks, and attempts at corporate takeovers to silence the press. The paragraph also mentions Duterte's public rants against the media and his false claims about ABS-CBN's ownership, leading to the revocation of its license to operate.
🔍 Online Harassment and Social Media Manipulation
The second paragraph delves into the use of social media as a tool for harassment and propaganda by the Duterte administration. It details how journalists are targeted with online attacks, including libel accusations, tax evasion allegations, and personal insults. The paragraph also discusses the role of state propaganda and troll armies in creating a toxic online environment, where dissenting voices are silenced through hate speech and misinformation. The paragraph provides examples of journalists who have been personally attacked, their photos manipulated, and their credibility questioned, all part of a broader strategy to discredit the media and suppress freedom of the press.
🛡️ Journalists' Resilience Amidst Intimidation
The third paragraph underscores the resilience of journalists in the face of ongoing intimidation and harassment. It describes how journalists continue to report despite threats, accusations of bias, and personal attacks. The paragraph also touches on the impact of these attacks on journalists' families and the broader implications for press freedom and democracy in the Philippines. Despite the administration's claims of a thriving democracy and press freedom, the data and experiences of journalists paint a different picture, one of a media landscape under siege and a government that uses its power to suppress critical voices.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Press Freedom
💡Libel Cases
💡Online Harassment
💡Intimidation
💡Media Takeovers
💡Fake News
💡Social Media Propaganda
💡Duterte Administration
💡Cyber Attacks
💡Misogynistic Attacks
💡Weaponized Internet
Highlights
Press freedom in the Philippines under Rodrigo Duterte's administration has been under attack with a record of at least 85 cases of attacks and threats against the press.
Nine journalists have been killed, and there have been 15-16 libel cases, 14 cases of online harassment, and 11 cases of website blockage or revoked franchise.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer, the newspaper with the largest circulation, faced public criticism from Duterte for its drug war coverage.
Duterte accused the Inquirer's owners of owing billions in taxes and has focused his tirades on them.
ABS-CBN, the country's biggest TV network, faced threats from Duterte to block the renewal of its franchise.
Duterte made false claims that ABS-CBN was fully owned by Americans, violating the 1987 Constitution.
The Securities and Exchange Commission revoked Rappler's license to operate, citing alleged violations of the Constitution and the anti-dummy law.
Rappler was labeled as a 'fake news' outlet by Duterte and was banned from covering him in public places.
The Duterte administration has weaponized social media to target journalists and critics, using state propaganda and trolls.
A surge in the use of derogatory terms like 'biased' and 'prostitute' was observed on social media, targeting critical journalists.
Cyber attacks, such as hacking and DDoS attacks, were used against news organizations that published critical stories.
Journalists faced personal attacks, including misogynistic and sexual harassment, particularly targeting female reporters.
Influencers and propagandists led online attacks, discrediting journalists and the issues they report on.
Public trust in the media dropped for the first time in history, according to the 2017 Philippine Trust Index.
Despite concerns over media repression, the Duterte administration insists that press freedom is alive and well in the Philippines.
Journalists have reported numerous threats, including harassment, accusations of bias, and even death threats, for their work.
Despite the threats, journalists remain committed to reporting, with many stating that nothing will stop them from doing their job.
Transcripts
press freedom freedom Caillou number one
magnify yes only you repeated press
freedom you you're [ __ ] you look up
the Emperor Coppola mutiny no don't tell
the media you know you have to know my
sentiments [ __ ] you
the doterra government is setting a new
normal in its antagonistic relationship
with Philippine media in Rodrigo to
theaters first 22 months for Media
Group's record at least 85 cases of
attacks and threats against the press
our groups have recorded the killing of
nine journalists 15 16 libel cases 14
cases of online harassment 11 Empress
six-layer pants six cases of harassment
five cases of intimidation 5k four cases
of website about revoked registration or
denied franchise menu one verbal abuse
strafing and police surveillance of
journalists and media agencies first to
feel that their this anger the newspaper
with the largest circulation the
Philippine Daily Inquirer in this first
State of the Nation Address in 2016
the directive announces the Enquirer's
pietà like running a photo of a victim
of his war on drugs and you are
portrayed in a broadsheet number on what
their Mirek red lady
got a barrel Jesus Christ Union money
the drama hunted in March 2017
Duterte once again publicly rants
against the newspaper over reports he
insists are unfair you've never been the
thirty eventually focuses his tirades
and the owners of the Enquirer accusing
the Prieta family of owing the
government billion pesos in taxes young
enquiring I don't know but marijuana
comes up the bolita now my bill Elena
Lupin's a goober no and banana and lungs
with sweetheart Dana
they went for glory during the lab
analyst Amato it's an early in not long
after the pre Attis announced it is in
talks to sell their majority share in
the Enquirer to Ramon on a businessman
friend of the President Duterte
also turns his iron the country's
biggest TV network abs-cbn in April 2017
president pathetic warns that he will
block the renewal of abs-cbn s franchise
which is set to expire in 2020 the dirty
accuses the network of swindling
claiming abs-cbn did not show his
political ads during the 2016 campaign
season even though these were already
paid for real and not upon at Milazzo
feed Rodrigo Duterte President of the
Republic of the Philippines during his
second State of the Nation Address in
July 2017 the Delta echoes a popular yet
false claim by his online defenders
the traveler is fully owned by Americans
a violation of the 1987 Constitution you
know but in just paper they are supposed
to be 100% Filipino and yet when you
start to fear their identity it is Paulo
fully owned by America in January 2018
the Securities and Exchange Commission
announces it is revoking Rattlers
license to operate for allegedly
violating the Constitution and the anti
dummy law wrappers case is pending
before the court of appeals in one of
his frequent rants new Terry calls
rattler a fake news outlet and
eventually bans rapper from entering the
palace and covering him in public places
fake news I am NOT surprised that your
articles are also fake
there is of an MVC idea
[Music]
well I'm gonna be Ponyville master it
doesn't stop there
after the SEC decision several other
government agencies go after a blur
accusing the website of libel and tax
evasion in April 2018 the Philippine
government also bars journalists of the
foreign correspondents Association of
the Philippines from covering a press
conference in Singapore Rodrigo Duterte
is the first candidate to effectively
harness social media to win the
presidency as early as July 2016 the
same network that put him in power is
weaponized targeting journalists and
anyone deemed critical of the President
all the newsroom attacks happen in this
highly charged political climate were
state propaganda boosted by trolls and
click farms systematically target
dissent grapplers data shows a surge in
the use of the words by Iran or being
paid by lawan or being pro Liberal Party
and biased and social media at its peak
the term bias is used in 30,000 comments
in a single day within groups and pages
Rattler monitored almost 50,000 posts
and more than 1.8 million comments used
the term by Iran by August 2016 key
figures from the detector campaign
popularized another term used in attacks
prostitutes a wordplay of press and
prostitute this graph shows the spike in
the use of the word prostitute after the
territory defenders spread the mean
Facebook posts of journalists and
activists deemed critical of the turret
and his allies are also being mass
reported Facebook responds by taking
down these posts cyber attacks are also
use against news organizations the
website of kadal Productions is hacked
while Vera files is taken down by a
distributed denial of service or DDoS
attack shortly after posting a story
critical
Duterte for reporting that a president
likened himself to dictator Adolf Hitler
mug shots Reuters correspondents Manny
Moe Gatto and Karen lemma are spread on
social media
mojitos Facebook account is also hacked
and the face by still unidentified
groups the hackers changed his cover
photo to that of a pro to tear the
Facebook page logo and celebrity Pro to
tear the blogger maka asan in September
2017 trolls target veteran journalist
Karen Davila after she makes a comment
about the president's son Paulo de terre
claim the younger duterte is implicated
in a Bureau of Customs drug trafficking
controversy a senator claims his tattoo
is proof of his membership in a Chinese
Triad Paulus replied to develop smacks
of sexist innuendo he'll show her his
tattoo on the condition that it will
just be the two of them in a hotel room
in November 2017 inquiry journalist
Patricia Ann Rojas writes about a rally
denouncing the president's war on drugs
organized by Roman Catholic priests and
nuns under their the propaganda Stags
her story as fake news accusing her of
using a photo from another rally through
asleep readers this messaging is quickly
echoed by the Turkish keyboard army
online others copy-paste incendiary
posts and re-upload the photo Rajas
maintains the photo she took are real
she also asks the columnist to correct
the mistake and apologized publicly the
columnist only takes down his post that
tax and Rajas continued long after that
female journalists are frequent targets
of misogynistic attacks online for
comments and critical reports that don't
sit well with the president supporters
rappers PR nada and Maria Reza and Al
Jazeera's Jamela Allen doggin were often
memed
and insulted in social media the attacks
against Ranade Allen doggin and Reza are
personal and focused on their looks
Allen Dogon is tagged as Rhett Okada a
derogatory Filipino word for people who
under
when plastic surgery they show before
and after photos of Alan Logan the
before photo is not her Ranade receives
death and rape threats and featured and
sexualized means
you are publishing fake information to
miss commented Reza is malign for a
filipino-american background her looks
and her skin she receives as many as 90
hate messages per hour many of these
online attacks were led by influential
bloggers and propagandists who set the
tone messaging and the target veteran
journalist raissa Robles has been on the
receiving end of attacks and harassment
by protected social media personalities
and netizens since May 2016 Robles is a
vocal critic of the Turkish war on drugs
and his political party's plans to push
for charter change since May 2016 social
media personalities have been
challenging Robles s credibility as a
journalist she is accused of being a
propagandist for the opposition and her
story stag this fake news some posts and
comments graphically wish for her death
where reality comes up short
the propaganda machinery invents Prada
tear the pages also spread the mean that
insinuates collusion between Renata and
Robles because the latter is supposedly
her mother-in-law Renata's husband
carries the same surname as Robles these
online attacks as well as the doTERRA
administration spy raids against the
media proved effective in discrediting
journalists and the legitimate issues
they report on according to the EON
group's 2017 Philippine trust index
extreme trust in the Philippine
government almost triples since 2015 for
decades
trust in the media had been considerably
higher but thus trusts in the government
source public confidence in the media
drops for the first time in the indexes
history trusts in the government is at
par with the media the
study also shows that the majority of
online conversations about the media
involve government related issues with
government personalities often lambaste
in the media journalist organizations
international publications legislators
and human rights groups here and abroad
voiced concern over creeping media
repression in the Philippines the
Philippines also slides six spots in the
2018 World Press Freedom Index by media
watchdog reporters without borders
despite all these the doterra
administration insists democracy and
press freedom is alive and well in the
country I record will stand for itself
we have taken steps por para Paragon and
GU hai na ma mama Mahad well
onomatopoeia hulu mama Mahad
I'm Presidente in the elected Amanda
land library I don't Time magazine a
talk about this spot since when since
when did I send somebody to prison for
just talking against me but the data
tells a different story
Duterte has single-handedly eroded
public trust in the media his
administration weaponized the internet
from a marketplace of ideas to a toxic
environment of hate misogyny and
intolerance it also uses its political
power to intimidate and muzzle the press
through online attacks and try media
attacks legal harassment attempts at
corporate takeovers and threats of
franchise shutdowns
but despite the threats journalists are
standing their ground
have you ever been harassed because of
your work yes have you been threatened
online I Oh have you been called bias
yes have you been called stupid yes many
times by idiots
have you been called disrespectful yes
have you been accused of corruption yes
have you been called ugly as a response
to any story yes have you been called
fake news oh yeah we same fake news
anything that's critical is fake right
have you been accused of being an
imperialist spy yes have you been
accused of being a communist operative
yes have you been accused of working for
the CIA yes have you been sexually
harassed as a journalist yes has your
family been threatened harassed or
alluded to yes it has specifically my
daughter when she died there were a lot
of people who made fun of that have you
been threatened with the ring yes yes no
not me but my family have you been
threatened with violence yes have you
been threatened with death yes have you
been told how you're going to be killed
yes as the violence been described to
you yeah blew my head off
or burn your life what will stop you
from reporting nothing nothing nothing
yes do you have to kill me
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