Hold the line whatever it takes!
By Kat Ulrike
Whether it is out of technicality or whatsoever, the motive to silence is obvious: that of stifle dissent in the name of order.
Especially after the Securities and Exchange Commission ordered to shut down the alternative news service provider Rappler, the concerned folks find the action more than just a technical matter- but that of political.
Why is this so? Whether the issue is foreign involvement in media or making "negative-sounding" articles and the like, the order's intervention "on the basis of technicality" cannot simply remain "technical" as the constitution prohibits foreign investors from investing in local media. However, for the administration's apologists, the issuance of a shutdown becomes more of a threat to critical-minded media outlets, as they cry conformity of all media into their distorted view claiming to be "developmental."
And, as a concerned folk would wonder, is the current order truly serious in its thermidor in the name of "unity" and "moving on"? Rappler has been critical in investigating government transactions and policies, making it popular among the critical-minded; however, how about "Bulatlat" or "Pinoy Weekly," which are facing threats to and fro whose basis is "counterinsurgency" especially towards issues like agrarian reform to that of covering protest actions and articles dealing with social action? Both did present truth, complete with information as evidences; however, as good and evil are so tied in to the truth, it makes itself what more that truth is what the order find it a hindrance to their view, a contrary to their narrative!
But anyway, Rappler, as any other alternative media seriously adhere to seeking truth from facts, reminds of Milan Kundera, as he said: “The struggle of men against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.” Whether the system use technicality or by outright accusation of “promoting subversion”, the idea of silencing dissent by any means is driven by the intent to consolidate order- especially after being cornered by those who demand justice- if not change. But will the orderist keep that truth that’s historified? No! May as well omit it- and it is not surprising if they’re trying to make Damnatio Memoriae out of Rappler, or any other source orderists finding it was against their narrative. As their proliferation of information provides false sense of hope and unity to the people, a “copium” so to speak as people suddenly longing for a nostalgia as if a blueprint for a future.