Has the narrative changed in this time of coronavirus? We shall attempt to answer this question by discussing how news is handled in this time of pandemic, especially in this part of the world, in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. Thus, we will note a slight difference between the Asian and the Western way of reporting current events. And as a Filipino, I cannot but highlight the current situation in the Philippines regarding information dissemination.
Attitude of submission
Generally, Asians are seen as submissive people. It is inherent in us to bow before the elderly. There is an inner drive in us, as Asians, to submit ourselves to anyone who speaks on behalf of those in authority, including those in government, and this makes it almost spontaneous for us to follow commands coming from above. But we are also capable of questioning, refusing to obey unjust laws when we perceive potential abuse and danger in them. But this comes later. We tend to submit, then question later.
This attitude is evident even in the manner of informing a whole population. Heads of states in this part of the world have a tendency to “manage” information, very often, controlling it to avoid any potential opposition by sectors of the population. And very often, it is for one sole purpose, to maintain “order.” This is most evident, especially during times of crisis, as we have seen in the present COVID-19 pandemic.
Information management in time of pandemic
In our context, this is how information is managed in this time of COVID-19. In some ASEAN states, we can sense a lack of full disclosure of the true state of the individual nation concerning the range of infection caused by the pandemic and its grave effects in people’s lives. Behind this doubtful “everything is under control” image, there is a lack of dissemination of holistic information. As a result, people resort to other sources of information to fill up what is missing in government media advisories.
In their efforts to fill this gap, communicators from various media groups are taking heroic steps to give a different voice, often unpopular and considered “offensive” to authorities. For the past decade, an independent social news network has been effective in providing information to those who seek alternative sources. Recently, we read this important reminder: “States must ensure that human security and social justice are at the heart of their response, and that emergency powers are not abused for narrow political gains.” Through this statement alone, one can already understand the current situation we are in with regard to the world of information.
Uproar in social media
Just a few months ago, we witnessed the outcry of millions of Filipinos, after the government, through a controversial decision by a congressional committee, denied the broadcast franchise renewal of the largest media network in the country. Across the country, people took to various social media platforms condemning the media giant’s shutdown which was interpreted as a means to crush dissent and stifle a free and independent media. Now that it is out of the airwaves, and for the second time since martial law, the Filipino people have been deprived again of their right to be properly informed while thousands of the network’s workers have lost their jobs and source of livelihood. Amid the soaring number of fatalities and persons infected by the coronavirus, people need to obtain necessary information to protect themselves and those most at risk from being infected by the virus. But since a big part of the population is deprived of this, “communication of holistic information is most necessary” now more than ever.
A light of hope in the darkness
Finding ourselves in this predicament, are we to curse the darkness that envelops us? Do we give up narrating our stories, as individuals and as a people? Do we stop writing about our journey as a democracy just because the government doesn’t respect our right to free expression? In Pope Francis’ message on the occasion of the World Communications Day 2020, we find a light of hope that is very relevant in today’s crisis. The Pope underlines the beauty of narrating our own stories to God: “To tell our story to the Lord is to enter into his gaze of compassionate love for us and for others. We can recount to him the stories we live, bringing to him the people and the situations that fill our lives. With him we can re-weave the fabric of life, darning its rips and tears.” A famous saying may help us gather strength and acquire a more pro-active mindset. There is no certainty who actually said it. But in this part of the world, it is an ancient Chinese proverb: “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Although there is much suspense and filtering of information released to us, we also see courageous individuals who are stepping up, serving like lighted candles all over, making us see the truth, the very core and aim of communication.
