Philippines

Origin of Philippine Media based from the writings of Renee

Karunungan

Pre-colonization
Own ways of writing events of that time using bamboo saps as
ink, and leaves as paper.
Later, the start of Barangay Era, they have this town crier
called UMALOHOKAN, seems like the announcer of today’s that
announce special news from the Cabeza de Barangay or the town’s
chieftain.

Spanish Colonization (MORE ON NEWSPAPERS)

1811 by Spanish Governor General, DEL SUPERIOR GOVIERNO
sought to bring news from Spain to the Philippines. It was then
followed by daily newspaper named LA ESPERANZA but only for
Spanish Elites – Mestizos and Educados.
QUOTED FROM THE WEBSITE. Philippine free press has its roots
in nationalistic newspapers aimed to raise consciousness about
the oppression experienced by Filipinos at the hands of the
Spaniards. These publications, such as the La Solidaridad, were
elitist, started by the Ilustrados (Filipino educated class) who
lived in Europe,like propagandists Graciano Lopez Jaena, Marcelo
H. Del Pilar, and Jose Rizal who were facing censorship in the
Philippines (Teodoro, 1999).

American Colonization
English was used from this time because of the colonizers
first language as per Lorente 2013. Used by Manila Times 1898.
Published articles before were by and pro Americans. Nationalist
newspapers were there threatened for suspension because they
published about the abuses of the Americans but this newspaper
called Sakdal, regional newspaper becomes a hit to the mass as
they attack the American’s abuses on tax and abusive capitalists.
Japanese Occupation and Postwar Era
After the war, Philippine press was regarded as the “freest
in Asia” and was said to be the “golden age of Philippine
journalism. Most newspapers were wholly or partly owned by
businesses, as it is today. These newspapers also owned radio
stations and television channels.

Marcos Era

Marcos declared Martial Law in September 1972. Marcos

ordered the press secretary and national defense to take over all
forms of media and accused the media of disseminating “false,
vile, foul, scurrilous statements, utterances, and pictures” as
well that it was used by “lawless elements”.

Right after the announcement of Martial Law, only one

newspaper, one television station, and the government-owned radio
station were allowed to continue business (Rosenberg, 1974). The
Daily Express was the first allowed to re-open, followed by
Manila Bulletin. With the shutdown of publications and broadcast
media, Marcos allowed new pro-Marcos media to open such as the
Times Journal, People’s Journal, People’s Tonight, owned and
operated by Marcos’ brother-in-law

AMERICAN MEDIA