hiddencolleges

[hiddencolleges]

Unmasking the Hidden Agendas: A Critical Analysis of Media Manipulation

The media is a powerful tool that individuals, groups, and organizations utilize to communicate their message and agenda to the public. The impact of media coverage can be positive or negative, depending on the nature of the coverage. With the ability to reach millions of people instantly, the media can shape public opinion, influence societal norms, and ultimately make or break an individual or group's reputation.

We've witnessed this all too often, particularly during election periods when media outlets portray political candidates in a certain light to sway public opinion. A clear example of this is the news outlet SMNI's portrayal of former Presidential Candidate Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. as a capable leader who can lead 114 Million Filipino souls towards a better and brighter future. Despite the criticisms he received from various fronts, he still emerged victorious and is now the man sitting at the top of our country. This just goes to show the immense power of media in shaping a country's future.

But the past is the past and we should move forward to a more relevant topic at hand. Currently, The President is considering shutting out our connection with the International Criminal Court (ICC). But this being a critical analysis there is more to it than meets the eye. 

The media's manipulative ways are evident in the language used in the article, particularly in the headline. The use of the phrase "Marcos to shut out ICC after losing drugs war appeal" implies that Marcos is punishing the ICC for rejecting his appeal, which is not entirely accurate. The ICC rejected an appeal asking it to stop investigating Marcos's predecessor's lethal war on drugs, not Marcos himself.

Furthermore, the article highlights Marcos's statement that the ICC's investigation is an attack on the sovereignty of the republic, which is a convenient distraction from the allegations of systematic executions and cover-ups by the police. The article also mentions that the Philippines has argued its institutions are capable of prosecuting crimes, which is debatable given the circumstances.

The media's manipulation of information is a prevalent issue that can have significant consequences on public opinion and perception. In the case of the ICC's investigation into the Philippines' drug war, the media's constructed message of support for Marcos's decision to cut off contact with the ICC overlooks the human rights violations and accountability concerns raised by the investigation.

The media's manipulative ways can influence people's opinions and support a message that is not entirely accurate, as seen in this example. It is essential for the media to report objectively and provide truthful and unbiased information to the public. As a columnist, I believe it is my responsibility to call out such tactics and demand transparency and accountability from the media!

The influence of media manipulation can be far-reaching, affecting public opinion and even policy decisions. It is crucial to be aware of these tactics and to question the information presented to us. As citizens, we have a responsibility to hold the media accountable for their reporting and demand truthful and unbiased information.

In the end, media manipulation undermines the public's trust in the media and their ability to provide accurate information. We must remain vigilant and demand accountability to ensure that the media upholds its responsibility to report objectively and truthfully!

As the saying goes “for the people, by the people” it is my hope that we can all embrace this principle and keep it at the forefront of our minds. Ultimately, we must all be accountable for the consequences of our actions.

Source:

Interaksyon. (2023, March 28). Marcos to shut out ICC after losing drugs war appeal. https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2023/03/28/247297/marcos-to-shut-out-icc-after-losing-drugs-war-appeal/

[hiddencolleges]

The Conversation

Written by 'WS'

The room was dark and gloomy, like a never-ending void on both sides. In the middle is a table and a hanging lightbulb that can barely emit light at this point, sitting there are two men. 

The men stared into each other’s eyes as if its the only thing that matters. One of them looks young but looks tired and restless. The other one has a stark look, sharp and cunning but his face is wrinkled and old- time has already taken a toll on his face. But neither of them can read the other person’s mind. They have been sitting at the table for god knows how long and never broke their stare into each other’s irises. It is as if time didn't even exist in their enigmatic world.

“Fifty years ago-” the old man said but was quickly stopped by the other person “we have been through this, saying it again and again will never change anything.” the young man said. “I need you to listen to me” the old man paused and continue speaking “Fifty years ago we are at the peak, we were the best everyone envied us and wished that we were them”.

“But it's no longer that, is it?” the young man retaliates “yes, yes it is” he said in a cold and guilty voice.

“See that’s the thing!-” the young man shouts, “now hold on, let me finish-”.

“No! We had everything, the wealth, the praise, the acknowledgment, we were what others would kill just to be a speck of what we had accomplished!” the young man said angrily

“But noooo you had your pride, your ego, and now look at us! Look at us!” he stared sharply at the old man. “We were one of the greats back then, but you just have to let it all go!” he said disappointingly sadden by the horrible truth. 

“I did… I did what I thought was right.” the old man said slowly. “I did it with the thought that it would be for the best, and it was for a while.”.

“People were happy and everyone had plenty of everything.” the old man continued

“Then it all changed, something happened and it turned everything around.” the old man stared back.

“What happened?” the young man asked.

“You happened.” the young man was baffled but before he could say anything the old man continued

“You with your pride, your ego, we had everything. All you needed to do was to improve and adapt.” the old man said loudly, but you can never feel resentment in his words.

Only disappointment.

“You and your entitlement ruined everything! Yes I did mess up and I tried to change from them, so don’t you pass the blame to me when we both know that in the end, it's your fault.”

The room was quiet again, the void seeping back and the presence of sound slowly dissipates.

“How did you even end up in that conclusion!” the young man roared trying to understand what the old man even said. “The audacity to even think that it was the US who made the problem when well in fact it was you! All YOU!” the young man shouted.

“Yes, we are the ones that messed up at the start and we are trying to make it right. But you have to realize that you also have to take accountability for the wrongs that you have done.” the old man said in a raspy voice.

“Accountability?!” The young man said in shock and irritation. Flabbergasted by the statement of the old man he boldly says “Tell me at least 3 things that we should be accountable for.”.

The old man stared at him and didn’t speak for a couple of minutes, he remained quiet for a while and said “with pleasure.” 

“You are lazy.” he said plainly.  “Let me expand it so that you won’t misunderstand what I am saying” the old man followed up quickly.

“You are a person with self-perpetuating thinking towards laziness, you never do anything other than the things that will benefit you now over later.” the old man said, trying to further expand his thinking process to the young man

“Yea, I do it as well as everyone, it's not that we don’t want to look forward but we need to cover things on a daily basis because of your screw-up!” the young man retaliate trying to not lose the argument. 

“Along with it, you are arrogant!” he said sharply, “You are always a show-off, there was never a time that I saw you humble yourself down, you try to act with elegance and etiquette while in reality, you are less than deserving to be one.” the old man continued, saying boldly with every statement.

“How dare you! Do you even have any idea on what you are say-” before the young man was able to continue, the old man stood up and said. 

“YOU. ARE. A PERSON. WITH NO LOYALTY!!!”  The old man shouted, he cough up and cough up but he seems to not bother the drawback. 

“You never once stood up for us, I know for a fact that when given a chance to ditch us you would not even think for a second and just go without a second thought!” the old man proclaimed

The young man looked at the old man and stared “And I would do it again and again and again until I’m no longer stuck here with you in this room.” 

The room went quiet. The darkness finally seeps all the sound that remains in the lightless room the two men are stuck in.

The men stared into each other’s eyes again as if its the only thing that matters. Neither of them can read the other person’s mind. They have been sitting at the table for god knows how long and never broke their stare into each other’s irises. It is as if time didn't even exist in their enigmatic world.

And it never did, for time is repeating in this world. 

The only way to freedom is by finally realizing that they are both the same person.

P.S: Inspired by Why are Filipinos so Poor? by F. Sionil Jose

[hiddencolleges]

One Body, One Society

Culture is a complicated thing. It allows a person to have an identity amidst a society that is filled with different identities. It allows a person to have a sense of belongingness because of this commonality. But at the same time, culture can cause division, walls that block one's access to diversity and burn possible bridges in the process. 

By definition, culture is society’s way of life. It provides the basis for forging identities and it allows people to understand themselves in relation to others (Atienza et al., 2019). The given excerpt for us allowed me to understand and have a glimpse of the Dipolog people’s culture. And how their festival (Pasalabuk Festival) is a big thing for them. 

Reading the excerpt and its contents reminded me of how international summits happen. Delegates around the world are sent to the location of the summit then a showcase of cultures and traditions is portrayed for the delegates, afterwards discussions begin with a group picture afterward. 

Towards the end of the excerpt, an example was given as to what is happening in the Festival, it was street dancing that allows people to present their culture through different kinds of dances. This aims to lessen the prejudice and biases among the tri-people of Mindanao*.  

Reflecting on this I realized that eliminating prejudice and biases is not as hard as it seems. It does not need to take a long time for change to occur nor it is rare to happen. Change is everywhere all the time we just need to have the right goggles to look at it. 

To minimize or eradicate prejudice, biases, and discrimination so that change can occur, we have to realize several things. 

First, culture is learned. There are certain contexts that you need to know for you to appreciate a culture, this can be learned by textbooks or by searching on Google, although I recommend that you socialize with those that do practice those cultures.

Second, culture is shared. When you understand a culture one way or another you will practice it be it consciously or unconsciously. It allows you to act appropriately lessening the chance to offend or make others feel uncomfortable. 

Third, culture is diverse. There are many types of cultures around the world. And as a person who like to travel, it can be hard adjusting to it- especially when you like to travel… a lot. Culture has its system, making them complex and broad. Although it may seem overwhelming and hard to adjust, you need to realize that as long as you know the fundamentals and it is not your intention to offend people you are good. 

There are more things that we need to know and learn although I think this would suffice for now. 

Now you may ask, aside from all that was mentioned, what other ways can we use to eliminate or minimize these biases and prejudgments?

Personally, and refraining from all the technical things taught in our textbooks and lessons. We need to realize that at the end of the day we are all human, we live on a single planet with many unique cultures and traditions that represent who we are. Sure differences will come, but that does not give us a right to pick on cultures that are marginalized, down under, and “weird” for us. Rather we should appreciate it and see its beauty of it, even though we might not understand it at first. 

We should have the hunger and will to learn and know because at the end of the day we are one body, one society. And as one, hurting ourselves will cause nothing but trouble. 

 -W.S 

8.26.2022

*Christians, Lumads, and Muslims

Sources:

Atienza, M. E., Lusterio-Rico, R., Arugay, A., Encinas-Francisco, J., & Quilala, D. (2019). Understanding Culture, Society, and Politics (Revised ed.). C&E Publishing Inc