PRESSure on Freedom A Study on the Different Means/Methods of the State in Repressing the Media

Abstract

Media is important for it serves as channel of communication and regarded as pillars of democracy. Despite of these things, media still experiences repression. The state abuses the power it has and media is one of those institutions that is greatly affected. . The media serves as the people’s watchdog, one who scrutinizes the activities of the government. It is the one who gives people significant issues that the society is facing. Because of this, we should try to give recognition to the media. I want people to give attention to what is happening to it. Philippine media is regarded as the freest media in Asia. However, the International Federation for the Protection of Journalists branded the Philippines as one of the most dangerous places for journalists as it noted that since the beginning of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, there had been 44 journalists who have been killed. Media repression is defined as the efforts by the state to control and to silence the media. It is what the state or the government does to have power over the media so that the state can pursue matters for the interests of the people behind it. And also, so that the state can compel the media to report or give information which is acceptable to the government. The state uses its coercive powers in repressing the media. The police and military are used as tools for media repression. The state is an organ of class rule, an organ for the oppression of one class by another; it is the creation of "order” which legalizes and perpetuates this oppression by moderating the conflict between the classes The state is being used by the ruling class to control different institutions including media. With the use of coercive powers - the military and police, there is a repression done by the government. The state is doing this to have a control over information. This study aims to look into the different means or methods of the state in repressing one of the most important institution in our country, the media. And also, to be familiar with why and how does media experience repression by the state and the possible effects of this repression to the individuals and the society. The researcher will use key informant interview and will conduct a survey to answer the research questions. The researcher will also use literature review in gathering data. All of these methods will help in responding to the general and specific objectives of this study. Media, indeed, is an important institution in a democratic country like the Philippines. It is protected by the constitution. And because of the power that the media has, the state is trying, in every possible way it can, to control it. This control leads to media repression. The state uses it coercive powers as an apparatus to repress the media. There are different means and methods used by the state in repressing the media. Even during the Spanish occupation up to the Japanese, media is already experiencing repression.