When people speak of Mindanao, the first things that come to mind
are mostly the negative imagery projected by the media. We often associate
Mindanao to terrorism, Abu Sayyaf, and the ongoing Muslim-Christian conflict.
In the article "The Myth of the
Muslim Viewpoint" by Noralyn Mustafa, she describes how
the media presents the Muslims in its audience. It also tackles how established
media outfits in the region contributed in keeping the people detached from the
real issues in Mindanao – focusing more on the violence in the region than the struggles
of our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Honestly, it was until
I did this report that I learned of the Jabida Massacre during Marcos time. I
interviewed a Muslim professor from in PUP, Prof. Arapia Ariraya, and she said
that the media could have covered the Jabida Massacre in Corregidor at the time but they
chose not to.
The second article, “Three on
the press and Mindanao,” deals with the three major publications handling
coverage in Mindanao.
According to the three news publication the news agencies in the
country has the power to contribute to the peace building in Mindanao if only
they would not just focus on the war in the region but also its effects to the
people, environment and the peace process.
The unfair branding
of the Muslims in Mindanao was also highlighted in the two articles just like
how a recent photo caption in the Inquirer calling a woman in burka a security
risk (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/05/10/12/pdi-hit-calling-woman-burka-security-risk).
The two articles also tackled how most news agencies focus on the
conflict in Mindanao greatly affects policy decisions by the government in the
region.
I was supposed to present a video documentary last week tackling
most of the article’s discussion. Here is the link to the documentary from the
CHR that I edited to make it shorter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U674KEQp9U
Caroline Arguillas, in her McLuhan Forum lecture at the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City last year, pointed out the steps Mindanao journalists are taking to cover Mindanao better, from the viewpoint of lumads or of those native to Mindanao. I understand the frustrations of Ms. Mustafa in enumerating the failures of national media and of some Mindanao journalists in covering Mindanao in its entirety and complexity. As a community journalist, I think the community media covers its community better than any outsider because it shares in the collective history, the communal experience, the language. However, journalists trade information. One can study, learn, research. In Cebu, we’ve also made many lapses in reporting on the Moro communities. We learned from their criticism. Then and now, the challenge of journalism is to know more in order to report and interpret better.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mayette in stating that “the community media covers its community better than any outsider because it shares in the collective history, the communal experience, the language.” If journalistic skills are honed properly and ethics are intact, local journalists are way better to share their stories to the public than outsiders because they supposedly understand the situations better.
Delete-- btw, Wenggalore is my blogspot account, Weng Espiritu :D
As part of my job, I've been video documenting projects for NGOs in Mindanao or I have already been assigned on projects with Muslim beneficiaries.
ReplyDeleteIn 2010, one program of the NGO (Assisi Development Foundation) which caught my interest was the literacy program in the Muslim community/barangay of Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur. A community was mobilized to provide an avenue for teaching and as well as to look for local teachers. The program aimed to improve the standard of living of people in the barangay through the literacy program. Here, I was shocked to see a community that 70% of its population were not able to read and write. I was able to interview 2 barangay women (in their mid 40's) councilors here, both didn't know how to read and write, and also, they were clueless about the basics of adding and subtracting numbers. I was so touched to find out that their greatest dream is to be able to vote without somebody guiding them during elections. I found out later on that there were other areas in Mindanao identical with the community in Kapatagan. I believe that the needed prosperity and betterment of the general welfare of the poor people in Mindanao (great Muslim populace) has not yet been attended, though I want to emphasize the efforts of some government/non-government organizations (like Assisi Foundation) who help make better the lives of people by initiating projects that can boost the people's morale and capabilities. This experience made me realize how the media in general magnify Muslims them as "bad people" because of the ill-doings of the few. Here, I saw Mindanao's need (particularly in the Muslim areas). In general, How can we promote peace to the Muslims in Mindanao when a great number of them doesn't even know the ABC?
In Segue, I would like to share a 3-minute video that we did for an NGO. This presents a problem as to why there is conflict (Christian-Muslims). For a better understanding of my bias, please click:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N3j_XhKxJg&playnext=1&list=PL2AE84BBD0FEE4F82&feature=results_video
As the article suggests, the local media can help in the peace-building process if they would deviate from the traditional Mindanao coverage -- instead of centering too much on the action-packed war, news gathering and reporting should focus more on the situation of the people in the region, the on going poverty and effects of the war.
DeleteThe local legislature is really counting on media to give them feedback on what's going on all-throughout the country for them to be able to create sensible laws. And with the type of news reportage in Mindanao, we cannot blame them for neglecting the region, as most of what they hear and see regarding Mindanao is war -- not the situation of our countrymen.
As Raymond pointed out that news agencies who focus on the conflict in Mindanao greatly affect policy decisions by the government in the region, news agencies then play a role in agenda setting. As the theory suggests, mass media may not be able to tell us what to think, but they can definitely tell us what to think about.
DeleteMedia then has the power to counteract this negative reporting about Mindanao and take up its problem-solving function seriously. It must actively serve as a medium and venue for constructing ways toward achieving a more lasting solution to the conflict in Mindanao.
Yesterday in our Anthro261 class, we touched on the topic of Islamophobia, particularly in Western media. Francis reported on how the western media, especially after 9/11, has depicted Islam as violent and even evil, and how Muslims are portrayed or stereotyped as terrorists, because of what a few of did. One example cited in his report was how NBC "terrorism analyst" Steven Emerson said on an episode of CBS News that the bloodthirstiness of the Oklahoma city bombing (perpetrated by the very caucasian duo Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols) was said to be a 'middle eastern trait'. Being news anchors, thus opinion leaders in a way, these types of comments sow the seed of irrational fear and even hatred of all Muslims. The paranoia and fear over Islam does not end with terrorism, though. I recall one episode of Anderson Cooper's talk show, where he had three American Muslims as guests. These guests had a television show they were promoting, wherein they aimed to break the stereotypes associated with Islam. Being an interactive talk show, the audience could give comments, and one woman in the audience argues that the guests were not "real" Muslims because of they did not fit the stereotype. In essence, she was saying that if you do not wear the veil or if you do not support Osama Bin Laden, you're not a real Muslim. She even expressed the fear that Muslims wanted to enforce Shari'a or Islamic law in the US, which really shocked me and made me realize the level of paranoia and misunderstanding in the US, most likely perpetrated by the media, regarding Islam. And given how our own media here is very much influenced by western practices and ideology, hints of Islamophobia have also made it's way into our media.
ReplyDeleteI lived in General Santos for 4 years, and it's a very beautiful, healthy place to live in. There are peace and order problems there and in Mindanao, perpetrated by certain groups, but it's sad that these incidents are being generalized to demonize a whole race of people. I agree with the article that there is indeed a lack of Muslim voices in the media, particularly the mainstream media, and I hope that there are more prominent Muslim figures in the media who can genuinely relay the Muslim viewpoint.
I completely agree. It just so happened that majority of the Muslims in the country are in Mindanao, but all over the world, Muslims and the places they live in are generalized as violent, unsafe and chaotic. I have also been to General Santos early 2002. The people there are nice and unlike other provinces in Mindanao, a lot of them can speak and comprehend Tagalog. I've also heard that there are many Catholics living there. The city looks almost like Manila, only cleaner, and I never felt any sense of fear or tension during my stay there. But a few months after I went back to Manila, the malls there were bombed (this was an Abu Sayyaf attack if I remember correctly). I've been to those malls (KCC and Gaisano) and it saddened me deeply to have heard of this horrifying news because it made people who have never been there think that it's a totally dangerous place. It's a perfect example of how the wrongdoings of a powerful few can imperil the welfare and image of a whole city and its people.
DeleteMost Filipinos will not readily admit it, but they do suffer from this condition of "Islamophobia", which reached its peak after the 9/11 attacks in the United States. In my travels here and abroad, I see people shying away from fellow passengers who are obviously Muslim, those who wear their traditional clothes, even more so when the women wear the burka. We can perhaps blame popular media for such fear because of the constant barrage of news clips as well as movies portraying Muslims as violent people. The 9/11 attacks by misguided Muslims who believe in the gospel of Osama bin Laden really did not help the cause of the Muslims in general, and cemented that image of the violent Muslim. But every group is capable of violence. One cannot simply curse the general because of the fault of the specific. But unfortunately today, generalizations hold true and dangerous and debilitating stereotypes prevail.
DeleteIt is almost everyday that we get a Mindanao news story, perhaps in print or in primetime TV news. But the stories all have the same elements – conflict and drama. The article has shown how media has been found to have perpetuated the negative stereotypes, biases and limited view of Muslim Filipinos and the issues involved in Muslim Mindanao.
ReplyDeleteI believe there are a lot of good stories in Mindanao, just like what Joanne shared about the NGO efforts in the place. I have a block-mate who is a resident of North Cotabato and we would usually joke him as ”bandido.” But just like what Patricia shared about their place in General Santos, we found out that North Cotabato is a nice place too and we are just over generalizing things.
I think that journalists must be able to provide a wider context and present broader and more diverse perspectives on the issues and concerns of and about Muslims in the Philippines. Gaining knowledge of the people’s history, religion, and culture might be of great help in doing this.
One initiative is The Website on Muslim Mindanao for Journalists and Other Communicators. Aside from its main objective to maintain a website that caters to the information needs of journalists and other communicators covering Muslim affairs, it also aims to reduce further bias and discrimination in reporting. It promotes dialogue and public discourse toward developing a common understanding and consensus on critical issues concerning Muslim Mindanao.
You may want to check it out at http://www.muslimmindanao.ph/about_proj.html
Sensationalism still sells in this country, hence it is an inevitable practice for media outfits, whether national or local, to add colors, drama or flavors to as story to make sure it is going to be interesting.
ReplyDeleteAlso, sadly, at this age and time, stereotyping still proliferates in media. I cringed on that photo and caption published in PDI when I saw it. I cannot fathom how a national broadsheet can allow such lapse in judgment. Of course, PDI apologized but the damage has been done.
Hence, media outfits in the country still need to review, every now and then, their code of ethics or parameters on handling stories specifically on sensitive issues. And I’m pretty sure there are other news to be featured or to be used as banners in Mindanao, such as development projects around the area and culture-rich activities that can promote Mindanao as a beautiful and developing region rather than as a haven for terrorists.
Amen.
DeleteThe way media echoes only what people in authority are saying is a factor why there seems to be an absence of the Muslim viewpoint. As Carlos Conde (Journalism Asia 2002) pointed out in an article, there’s no better place than the armed forces’ Southern Command press office where correspondents and stringers hang out, to push the military agenda.
ReplyDeleteThe stereotypes of Mindanao as a terrorist haven and a place of conflict can be felt anywhere. It was just last year that I have been here in Manila and when people ask where my place is, they always raise an eyebrow asking if my place was safe. I am from Cagayan de Oro and the problem with how the media packages the information on Mindanao seems like there is war everywhere when in fact, a small part of a town in Sulu or in Lanao del Norte is where a red alert takes effect.
ReplyDeleteMindanao is not just about conflict, it also has a thriving socio-economic status but because of the negligent and sensationalized reporting both by the national and foreign media, these hampers the growth. Most people who think that Mindanao is not safe have never been to our place.
And again because they have never been to Mindanao, they will always base the truth on what they read and see on the television networks, radios and the newspapers.
The common questions would be: "is it safe there?" , "may giyera ba 'dun?" "marami bang bomb threats sa lugar 'nyo?" and "I heard that rebels can go inside malls in your place."
Hence, I answer them back with a situation. "I can walk in our Divisoria at midnight without being mugged or hold-uppers lurking behind me, can you do that here in Manila's Divisoria?"
Media should do away with that notion of Mindanao=Terrorism. After all, Mindanao is part of the Philippines, and whatever damage is felt in Mindanao, our country takes also that effect.
I agree with Francis on this. For some media outlets, especially those with limited resources, Mindanao becomes newsworthy only when something negative happens there like bombings, military offensives, and political violence. There should be a sustained effort from media outlets to really set foot in the region for a meaningful period of time to really understand what is going on there instead of just relying on the propaganda coming from the military.
DeleteMindanao has long been described in the Western media as a potential Afghanistan (ergo, a terrorist haven), no thanks to former American ambassador who kept on harping that line. Therefore, every time a terrorist attacks somewhere in Mindanao, it should automatically be framed against the backdrop of the global war on terror. Nevertheless, I concede there is still much to do to change the way Filipinos think about their kababayans in Mindanao.
The means of news gathering of a Mindanao-based publication and one based in Manila may have no difference, but the perspective and interpretation on events is really important. This is true even in history writing. In the first half of the 20th century, there was a notable scarcity of materials on Philippine history written by Filipinos. No wonder at that time Filipinos have absolutely no control about how they are portrayed in textbooks.
ReplyDeleteMost Filipinos will not have the opportunity to travel across Mindanao extensively. Therefore, their view about Mindanao is shaped to a large extend by what they see in the media. Hence, it won’t be surprising to find these people describe the region in the same way the media portrays it (e.g. war-torn and terrorist-infested). It is good to note that there are efforts in recent years (MindaNews is an excellent example) to really integrate the so-called Mindanao viewpoint into the national dialogue.
IMO, the purpose of every news is merely to inform and not to influence, and it is highly disturbing that "most news agencies' focus on the conflict in Mindanao greatly affect policy decisions by the government in the region." I never thought of that before. Constant stereotyping of Mindanao and Muslims in general, whether in the news or in films (which are, in the first place, fictional but still sways the world view on Islams), has greatly influenced the world's perspective on the said region and religion, but when it comes to a point when it affects even the disposition of policy-makers and thus the future of many, wouldn't that be altogether more disastrous than the individual terrorist attacks being reported and sensationalized?
ReplyDeleteThe question of how to justly and fairly portray Mindanao to the general public has been the subject of discussion in media circles for decades. As most journalists in the broadsheets are from Luzon, with many not even having the opportunity to actually go to Mindanao, it becomes a problem indeed to properly portray Mindanao and its people, particularly tne minority muslim groups who call the island their home. The result of ignorance of the dynamics of Mindanao is stereotyping. Mindanao has thus become equated mainly with violence, lawlessness and poverty. But the truth is, Mindanao is as diverse and dynamic as any region in the country. Its people include Christians, Muslims and indigenous peoples who all have cultures of their own. To generalize the country's second largest island as just about the "Muslim problem" does it a great disservice and leaves most Filipinos with a false sense of what the island is about. It thus becomes imperative on the part of journalists to delve deeper when writing about Mindanao, or any place for that matter. It is only by developing a deeper understanding of what make people and land unique can a journalist truly live up to his or her responsibility to share the truth with the readers. Many journalists, however, do not make the effort to get beyond the images of war and violence in Mindanao, and unless that changes, the stereotypes of Mindanao will remain entrenched in the Filipino psyche.
ReplyDelete