At least nine media organizations reported on anti-corruption protests in Metro Manila on Saturday, Sept. 13, contrary to claims of a “media blackout” in a TikTok video.
The video uploaded by TikTok user @dominie_01 falsely claimed in voiceover:
Ayon sa ilang nakasaksi at online reports, may mga rally na naganap sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Metro Manila ngayong Setyembre 13.
Ngunit sa kabila ng aktibidad, napansin ng marami na kakaunti ang live coverage sa mga pangunahing media outlets … May media blackout ba ngayong Setyembre 13 o simpleng limitadong coverage lang?
Several videos circulating online repeat the false claim of a “media blackout” on the anti-corruption protests.
Various media outlets covered Sept. 13 anti-corruption protests at EDSA Shrine in Quezon City alone, including Manila Bulletin, GMA News Online, Rappler, DZMM Teleradyo and ABS-CBN.
Even student publications such as The Varsitarian (University of Sto. Tomas), FEU Advocate (Far Eastern University) and Philippine Collegian (University of the Philippines Diliman) reported on the protest.
The same TikTok user earlier uploaded a video falsely claiming a “media blackout.” Superimposed text on the video read:
Ako lang ba nakapansin bakit walang balita ngayong SEPTEMBER 13 ? HOY BAKIT WALANG BALITA?
The post was also misleadingly accompanied by Tinig ng Plaridel’s drone video of the Sept. 12 Black Friday walkout at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
As of writing, the posts combined have amassed 2.8 million views, no less than 303,000 likes, 2,713 comments and 16,224 shares. (LB)
