An Appeal to Media: Cover More than the Theatrics

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An Appeal to Media: Cover More than the Theatrics
Joy Aceron

There is now a growing perception that street demonstrations are “quick fix” and “unintelligent” course of actions to resolve political issues. This is particularly evident about the reactions of some people about “people power,” which is being narrowly construed as nothing but nuisance, rabble-rousing and an impatient solution to the political crisis.

There are many reasons for this negative opinion about street protest actions, but the one that posts a significant influence is media coverage. On a varying level, what is seen on television, heard on radio and read on papers about societal actions are largely just the street demonstrations, particularly the theatrics: confrontation with the police, burning of effigies, wild antics, ironic combination of politicians and other attention-grabbing drama.

However, what the public does not know that should be told is that these groups and forces that are involved in street protests are doing a lot more than just being in the streets shouting their demands to the government. In fact, street protests, among the wide variety of societal actions, are probably where the least time and resources are spent.

The groups that are now active in protest actions in response to the political crisis under the current administration— the mass-based organizations, some leftist groups and some few middle class collectives—have consistently been involved in the painstaking tasks of organizing and education, bringing to as many people the forums and venues to know and discuss the issues that face the country. In order to exchange ideas, build consensus and broaden their impact, they build coalitions and networks, which is not an easy task involving unending debates because of the differences in perspectives among the organizations, groups and individuals in their group. They conduct research studies, build their database and publish reading materials particularly popular education materials about the issues they tackle. They engage the government, the business sector and other civil society groups in policy dialogues. Their partner non-government organizations would even undertake projects that provide direct services to their communities.

Because of their usually critical stance towards the government and their radical or progressive disposition, they do their work with the threat of repression and violence. Resources are always lacking, especially for those whose political work is a full-time job, hence, hardly there is comfort nor complacence. For the majority who has work outside of the protest actions, there is always the need to work double and triple time to balance the demands of their “profession” and the demands of the social movements. Largely the sacrifices are charged to love of country, service to the people and all those which are rhetorics to many, but something concrete and alive to these people.

Street protest actions are being done as part of the multi-faceted approaches to their advocacies that address fundamental and systemic problems of the country. This is usually just a venue for the different coalitions and networks to converge and bring their sentiments to a broader public, including those who hold public office. There are street demonstrations that are spontaneous where unexpected turn of events elicits strong emotional response that brings groups and unorganized individuals alike to converge in one place and exercise their freedom of expression, like EDSA 1. There are street protests and mass actions that are planned largely to show solidarity and send a message to a larger audience through the media.

The information that must be widely disseminated is that there are more to it than just mere street demonstrations. Street demonstrations are not quick fix and unintelligent societal actions. Behind it are critical analyses, long-lasting solutions and sustained actions. People power therefore is not just the coming out of groups and individuals to the streets. It involves the immense and sustained work of wielding the interest and imagination of the people and social forces to collectively engage and influence the outcome of public issues and concerns that affect the country. Behind the chants are heated debates, deep reflections and analyses. Behind the march are sweat and blood of people who take communal actions because of their shared beliefs and principles.

For the public to understand and appreciate the over-all work of the social forces, the media, which serve as the main source of information by most people, have to go beyond the theatrics. Not doing so will continue to put in bad light street protest actions and will disregard the more important work of the social movements.

This demand is probably difficult because it is the theatrics that have audience. It is popularly more interesting and perhaps even entertaining to many. The challenge however is: isn’t the media supposed to be balanced and truthful? Telling the public the whole picture of societal actions, or at least the more substantial part of it, will not only give justice to the work of the social movements, but will also give justice to the role that the media is supposed to play in society, which should go beyond what sells.

Joy Aceron
Lecturer, Political Science Department, Ateneo de Manila University
Research Fellow, Ateneo School of Government
Masters in Public Administration, University of the Philippines- Diliman
joyaceron@yahoo. com