The challenges of journalism in Duterte's Philippines | The Listening Post

Summary

The video delves into the dangerous landscape for journalists covering the Philippines' controversial 'War on Drugs.' It highlights the widespread extrajudicial killings, with an estimated 8,000 casualties, and the challenges faced by reporters documenting these events. Journalists, despite facing harassment and threats from the government, continue to reveal the human cost of the drug war, often uncovering corruption within the police forces. The video explores the role of media in decoding official narratives, with a focus on the war's disproportionate impact on the poor and the public's mixed response to Duterte's policies.

Takeaways

• 😀 President Duterte's 'War on Drugs' in the Philippines has led to nearly 8,000 deaths, with a significant portion attributed to police and vigilante killings.
• 😀 Photojournalists, known as the 'nightcrawlers,' play a crucial role in documenting the daily violence of the drug war, often racing to crime scenes before authorities clean up evidence.
• 😀 Many deaths in the War on Drugs involve the poor, with killings often concentrated in working-class communities, raising questions about the war's true targets.
• 😀 A controversial photo of a grieving partner, which resembled the Virgin Mary, became iconic in Philippine media and garnered both praise and criticism for its emotional impact.
• 😀 Journalists covering the War on Drugs face risks of violence, with many cases of journalist killings going unsolved, contributing to a culture of impunity in the country.
• 😀 Despite the violence, many Filipinos support Duterte’s campaign, though polls show a fear of becoming victims themselves, with a demand for drug suspects to be taken alive.
• 😀 The Philippine media faces a challenging environment under Duterte, who has actively sought to discredit and intimidate journalists critical of his policies.
• 😀 There are reports of police officers profiting from the War on Drugs, with a 'killing economy' involving payments for deaths, which fuels the ongoing violence.
• 😀 Duterte's rhetoric and policies, such as calling drug suspects 'criminals,' have led to widespread criticism from both domestic and international media, but his supporters often dismiss these concerns.
• 😀 The term 'War on Drugs' in the Philippines is criticized for masking the true impact of the campaign, which disproportionately targets the poor, resembling a war on civil liberties rather than drugs.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'War on Drugs' in the Philippines as described in the script?

The 'War on Drugs' in the Philippines, led by President Rodrigo Duterte, focuses on eradicating the country's drug problem, which has led to nearly 8,000 deaths. The campaign is marked by extrajudicial killings carried out by both police and vigilantes, often with little regard for due process.

How has the media, specifically photojournalists, been involved in documenting the War on Drugs?

Photojournalists, referred to as 'nightcrawlers' in Manila, play a critical role in documenting the violence of the War on Drugs. They report on the killings by rushing to crime scenes, capturing photos of bodies and the aftermath, often before the authorities can clean up or investigate the site.

What is the significance of the photo of Michael Chiron, a victim in the War on Drugs?

The photo of Michael Chiron, a petty cab driver killed in a vigilante attack, gained significant attention because it showed his partner pleading for help. The image, which had a striking resemblance to religious iconography, stirred strong emotions and was widely criticized by the Duterte administration as a staged effort to turn drug addicts into martyrs.

What criticism has the Duterte administration faced in response to media coverage of the War on Drugs?

The Duterte administration has criticized both local and international media for their portrayal of the War on Drugs. It has accused them of being biased and one-sided, particularly after reports like the New York Times' photo essay 'They Are Slaughtering Like Animals' and Amnesty International's report accusing the police of incentivizing killings.

What role does corruption play in the War on Drugs, according to the transcript?

Corruption is a major issue within the Philippine police force. According to reports, officers are incentivized to kill drug suspects, sometimes planting evidence at crime scenes and accepting kickbacks from funeral homes. This corruption has led to the creation of an 'informal economy of death,' where police officers profit from the killings.

What challenges do journalists face when reporting on the War on Drugs in the Philippines?

Journalists face significant challenges, including restricted access to crime scenes, the danger of being targeted themselves, and the hostile environment created by Duterte's rhetoric. The media is often criticized, and the public's perception of their work is shaped by the president's attacks on journalism.

How has President Duterte's rhetoric affected the safety of journalists in the Philippines?

Duterte's rhetoric, which includes vilifying journalists and encouraging attacks on media personnel, has contributed to a culture of impunity. This environment has made journalists vulnerable to threats, online abuse, and physical violence, with many media killings remaining unsolved.

What is the public's general opinion on the War on Drugs, and how does it conflict with their views on extrajudicial killings?

While public opinion surveys show that most Filipinos support Duterte's War on Drugs, there is a clear contradiction. Many Filipinos want drug suspects taken alive and are fearful that they could become victims themselves. The public supports the war in theory but opposes the unaccountable killings associated with it.

What is the economic angle of the War on Drugs, and how does it relate to the police's role?

The economic angle of the War on Drugs involves police officers profiting from killings. They are allegedly paid for each encounter or killing, often with funeral homes involved in the process. This creates a cycle where death is monetized, enabling the continuation of extrajudicial killings.

How does the media in the Philippines perceive the Duterte administration's influence on the press?

The media in the Philippines views Duterte's influence as an attempt to discredit journalism. He has worked to undermine the legitimacy of the press, encouraging online abuse and giving more space to pro-Duterte voices. This has created a toxic environment where journalists are under increasing pressure and face significant risks.