The presentation analyzes the discursive influence of Philippine media on the government's war on drugs, and the interplay of power between media and government. It also examines the buffering effect of the Duterte administration's populist approach to leadership on alleged media's undermining (direct or indirect) of its campaign against drugs.

1. Philippines In Focus
Media’s Discursive Influence
(The War on Drugs)
By Mark Raygan E. Garcia
MPPG Student, The Education University of Hong Kong

2. Governing Arguments
Media’s discursive influence rides strongest on conflict
and scandal news elements; its catalytic impact is
dependent on the extent to which key actors continue to
trust it
Media’s discursive influence on “selective social reality”
appeals more to those in the upper segments of society;
rooted more in its being a “Fourth Estate” but capitalizes
on familiar representations of authority and collective
pursuit of social justice
High public regard for government — sustained by
consistent core messages that humanize governance and
demystify leadership —buffers off potential reputational
risks from media’s discursive influence

3. Perception vs Reality
• “Perception is reality”
• “Identity” and “image”
interchangeably used — but
different (“identity” — what
you know about yourself;
“image” — what others think
about you)
• Challenge: bridging the gap:
aligning “image” with
“identity”
• Role of media — facilitative,
directive; yet potentially
selective (“slant”)

4. News Elements
• Proximity
• Prominence
• Timeliness
• Oddity
• Consequence
• Human Interest
• Conflict
• Scandal
What sells?

5. Double-Edged Reality
Think Philippines… Which images come to mind?

6. The War on Drugs

7. Parallelism:
Directing Discourse
+ =
Crime Scene Revered Scene in Catholic Religion:
Mary carrying Jesus after crucification
?

8. Shifting Discourse
Murder
Issue projected: Human rights violation
Rape
Abandonment
• Increases consciousness;
heightens vigilance
• Inspires reforms
• Bolsters citizenship
(legitimacy / authority)
• Builds up international
presence
• Shifts debate from “guilt” to
“innocence”
• Displaces public attention
from crimes resulting from
drugs
• (Potentially) Undermines
positive initiatives
Pros Cons
But: What about?

9. Discourse Influence Framework
Media Coverage
| Slant
Civil Society |
Rights Groups
Culture |
Religion | Values
System
Communication
Breakdown
Consistent focus on the
issue (i.e. HR violation)
CHR, UN condemning act;
tagging the same as HR
violation
Adherence to due process,
despite gravity of crime;
“band wagon” mentality
Lapses and inconsistencies
in official statements;
brute, abrasive statements

10. Discourse Media Coverage
| Slant
Civil Society |
Rights Groups
Culture |
Religion | Values
System
Communication
Breakdown
Right not
absolute.
Effective
warning.
Martial Law
is back!
Human rights
violation!
Abuse of power!
Iron fist — what
we need.

11. Discourse Going Global

12. Discourse’s Impact (?)
Political
• Senate committee
investigations on
extrajudicial killings
• CHR investigations
• International bodies
conducting on
investigation
• Civil society, church,
academe - statements
condemning war on
drugs; signature
campaigns
• Undermines legislative
branch / judiciary
functions
Social
• Investments being pulled
out for fear of lawlessness
• Reduced tourist influx
• Restrictive/Conditional
aid packages
Economic
Trust Rating Satisfaction Rating

13. 2 Faces of Discourse (Attack)

14. 2 Faces of Discourse (Defense)

15. Massifying
Discourse
A representation of the “normality” of life
— what connects (to) people.
Reinforces credibility/sincerity
in core messages.

16. Media’s Grip on Government
• Unrelenting pursuit of truth;
retaliatory; unfazed
• Escalating attention to
international community;
network mobilization
• Creating leads; instigating
investigations; providing
impetus for policy review and
discussions
• Selective capitalization on
issues (who speaks loudest
[and sells] gains mileage)

17. Populist Grip on Media
• From causing to question to
being questioned
• Influence remains strong, but
trustworthiness compromised
by user-generated content in
social media (“alternative
truth”?) & populist government
casting doubt on its objectivity
• News becoming a subject of
rebuttal, attack; instead of
source of information
• Media outfits being revealed
as “colored”, interest-oriented

18. Philippines In Focus
Media’s Discursive Influence
(The War on Drugs, etc)
By Mark Raygan E. Garcia
MPPG Student, The Education University of Hong Kong