Keeping history alive: Countering revisionism | The Final Word

Summary

In this interview, renowned historian Professor Ambit discusses the potential for historical distortion under a Marcos Junior Administration, especially concerning the martial law period. He highlights the rise of online disinformation and the importance of preserving accurate historical records. Professor Ambit expresses concern over the current state of historical education and the influence of social media, emphasizing the need for historians to engage with the public on digital platforms to counteract misinformation and ensure the youth remain knowledgeable about their history.

Takeaways

• 📚 The term 'historical revisionism' should be replaced with 'historical distortion' because revisionism involves correcting inaccuracies, while distortion is a deliberate denial or alteration of facts.
• ⚠️ There is a clear and present danger of historical distortion under the Marcos Jr. administration due to widespread misinformation, particularly on social media.
• 🖥️ Key online government resources, such as the Official Gazette and the Malacañang Museum website, have become less interactive or have been taken down, raising concerns about access to accurate historical records.
• 📅 The 50th anniversary of Martial Law is a significant historical benchmark, and its commemoration under the Marcos presidency will be closely observed for signs of historical distortion.
• 🛑 There are concerns about whether national holidays and commemorations, such as the Ninoy Aquino Day and EDSA People Power anniversary, will continue under Marcos Jr.’s administration.
• 🤔 The Marcos family denies involvement in online historical distortion, but there is skepticism given their potential benefit from such narratives.
• 📜 Academic historians have issued a manifesto affirming their commitment to uphold historical truth and to combat historical distortion.
• 📖 Textbooks currently omit many critical details about the negative aspects of Marcos Sr.'s regime, focusing more on achievements than the costs and consequences, such as the Manila Film Center tragedy.
• 📱 Unlike during the time of Marcos Sr., today’s media landscape is more open, and the internet and social media can act as platforms for truth and pushback against disinformation.
• 🎯 Younger generations are vulnerable to disinformation, as they often rely on social media for news instead of traditional sources. Historians must engage with new platforms, including social media, to ensure historical truth is accessible to them.

Q & A

What is the main concern regarding the historical narrative under a Marcos Junior Administration?

The main concern is the potential for historical distortion, particularly of the martial law period under Ferdinand Marcos, senior, due to the prevalence of online disinformation and the Marcos family being beneficiaries of such narratives.

Why does Professor Ambit prefer the term 'historical distortion' over 'historical revisionism'?

Professor Ambit believes 'historical revisionism' is not the correct term because revision implies a reflection and correction towards the truth, whereas distortion or denialism is what occurs when history is manipulated away from the truth.

What are the benchmarks that Professor Ocampo will be observing for signs of historical distortion?

Professor Ocampo will be observing how events like the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law and the EDSA People Power are commemorated, as well as the maintenance and content of websites like the Official Gazette and the Malacanang Museum.

How does the rise of social media impact the preservation of historical truth according to the transcript?

Social media has flooded the last five to ten years with narratives that are not in sync with historical truth, creating a clear and present danger of historical distortion.

What is the significance of the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law in the context of the discussion?

The 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law is significant as it coincides with Marcos Jr's election, raising questions about how this event will be commemorated under his presidency.

Why is the academic historians' manifesto mentioned in the script important?

The manifesto is important because it signifies a commitment by historians to stand for truth and to actively produce, record, and teach accurate history in response to the fear of historical distortion.

How does the current digital age differ from the time of Marcos senior in terms of controlling historical narratives?

The digital age, with widespread internet access and cell phones, allows for less control over the press and historical narratives compared to Marcos senior's time, where the press was well controlled and narratives were more easily manipulated.

What is the concern regarding the portrayal of past presidents in the Philippines' history textbooks?

The concern is that textbooks often focus on the positive achievements of presidents, like infrastructure development under Marcos, without discussing the negative aspects, such as the loans taken for these projects and the human cost involved.

Why is it challenging to shield the youth from historical distortion in the current digital landscape?

It is challenging because the youth are more inclined to consume information from social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok rather than traditional sources, making them more vulnerable to online disinformation.

What role does Professor Ocampo see for academic historians in the digital age?

Professor Ocampo sees academic historians needing to engage more actively on digital platforms to counteract historical distortion and to reach younger audiences who primarily consume information online.