Portrayals of Marcos: A comparative analysis of Batas Militar and Alaala (A Martial Law Special)

Abstract

A content analysis of two documentaries, Batas Militar and Alaala: A Martial Law Special, was done to explore how media portrayed Ferdinand Marcos. This study identified if there are the similarities and differences of these portrayals as these documentaries were published and shown ten years apart.

It was found out that these documentaries presented Ferdinand Marcos in a negative light — highlighting the violence and cruelty that took place in his administration wherein he has the total control. Both of the samples reiterated that Marcos was a skilled strategist. Be it in politics, law and the military, Marcos is portrayed as someone who is well-informed of everything and so, this shows his capability of rationalizing his actions and bringing himself into the result he expected. Both samples showed the intensity of the cruelty and violence of the Marcos regime. Both also showed footages and interviews that supported the aforementioned claim of violence and the military and civilian dispute.

Despite the ten-year gap in the production and showing of the documentaries, it was revealed that there is really no difference with how Marcos was portrayed.