Phil Press History- Japanese period

Summary

This video delves into the state of the Philippine press during the Japanese occupation in World War II. It covers the pre-war press landscape, the impact of Japanese censorship and control, and the transition from commercial to underground guerrilla press. The Japanese forces took control of major publications, with some papers shifting to propaganda roles. Guerrilla publications like 'The Liberator' emerged to oppose Japanese rule, often struggling due to limited resources and external betrayals. Additionally, the video explores radio broadcasts, including the role of KGEI in boosting morale and providing critical counter-propaganda. The press during this era was both a tool of occupation and resistance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The press in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation (1942-1945) was heavily censored and controlled by the military.
• 😀 Pre-occupation, notable newspapers like the Philippine Free Press, Manila Times, and Manila Bulletin were already established in the country.
• 😀 The Japanese bombed Manila on December 8, 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, marking the beginning of the occupation.
• 😀 Under Japanese control, commercial publications were allowed to operate but had to be approved and monitored by the military, severely restricting their independence.
• 😀 The *Philippine Free Press* and *Manila Daily Bulletin* were shut down on January 2, 1942, due to the occupation, while some papers continued under duress, including *The Tribune*.
• 😀 Alejandro Rosas, the owner of the *TBT* chain, was forced to allow the Japanese to use his facilities, compromising the credibility of his papers.
• 😀 The guerrilla press emerged as a form of resistance, with papers like *Free Philippines* and *The Liberator* providing vital counter-propaganda and boosting morale.
• 😀 Many guerrilla publications were short-lived due to resource shortages or crackdowns by the Japanese, with some disappearing within months of their inception.
• 😀 The Japanese established *Manila Shimbusha*, a broadsheet to monitor and control local press and promote their propaganda.
• 😀 Radio stations like *DZRH* were taken over by the Japanese for propaganda purposes, while Filipinos relied on foreign shortwave radio, such as *KGFI*, for independent news.
• 😀 President Jose P. Laurel was forced to declare martial law in 1944 by the Japanese, under pressure to control resistance as Allied forces advanced in the Philippines.

Q & A

What was the status of the press in the Philippines before the Japanese occupation?

Before the Japanese occupation, several newspapers and magazines were already established in the Philippines. Notable publications included the **Philippine Free Press**, **Manila Herald**, **Manila Times**, **Manila Bulletin**, **The Tribune**, and **Vanguardia**, among others. Additionally, there were three radio stations operating: **KZRH**, **KZKZ**, and **KZRB**.

How did the Japanese occupation impact the Philippine press?

The Japanese occupation severely impacted the Philippine press. Many newspapers were shut down or forced to operate under strict censorship and military control. Publications like the **Philippine Free Press** and **Manila Daily Bulletin** were closed, while others, such as those in the **TBT chain**, continued under heavy Japanese influence, losing their credibility.

What were the two main types of media establishments during the Japanese occupation?

The two main types of media establishments during the Japanese occupation were commercial publications, which were heavily censored and controlled by the Japanese military, and underground guerrilla press, which operated independently to resist Japanese propaganda and boost Filipino morale.

What role did the Manila Shimbusha play during the occupation?

The **Manila Shimbusha** was established by the Japanese to oversee the press in the Philippines. It was a broadsheet in the Japanese language that monitored and controlled local newspapers. The Shimbusha's role was to update the Japanese about the situation in the Philippines and the broader Pacific region.

How did the Japanese military control local newspapers?

The Japanese military controlled local newspapers by censoring content and forcing publications to operate under their supervision. They also confiscated facilities, such as those of Alejandro Rosas's **TBT chain**, and used them for their own purposes, ultimately manipulating the content to align with Japanese propaganda.

What was the significance of the Free Philippines newspaper?

The **Free Philippines** newspaper, established by the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East (YUSAF), played a crucial role in providing news and maintaining morale during the occupation. It was published in different editions for various regions, offering an important counterpoint to Japanese propaganda.

Why did some guerrilla newspapers, like **The Liberator**, succeed while others failed?

Some guerrilla newspapers, like **The Liberator**, succeeded due to the dedication of their creators and their ability to garner support, despite limited resources. However, many other guerrilla papers failed because of lack of funds, raids by Japanese forces, or betrayal by fellow Filipinos. **The Liberator** was the longest-running guerrilla paper, lasting from 1942 to 1945.

What role did shortwave radio stations like **KGEO** play during the occupation?

Shortwave radio stations like **KGEO** (later known as **Voice of America**) played a critical role in countering Japanese propaganda. These stations broadcast news about the war and updates on the U.S. military's activities, including General MacArthur's famous line, 'I shall return,' which inspired hope among Filipinos and the guerrilla fighters.

How did the Japanese occupation affect media ownership in the Philippines?

Under Japanese occupation, media ownership in the Philippines was either taken over or heavily controlled by the Japanese. Publications that continued to operate were required to align with Japanese interests, and many Filipino editors and journalists were arrested or forced into submission. Some owners, like Alejandro Rosas, were coerced into allowing the Japanese to use their facilities for propaganda.

What was the significance of the Japanese declaration of martial law in September 1944?

In September 1944, the Japanese forces forced President Laurel to declare martial law as part of their efforts to secure the Philippines against the advancing U.S. military. This was the first instance of martial law in the country, and it occurred years before the more widely known declaration of martial law by Ferdinand Marcos in 1972.