History of Newspaper in the Philippines

History of newspaper in the Philippines Journalism started in the Philippines during the late 1800’s. The emergence of several publications was intended to inform and awaken the people about the abuses and atrocities committed by the Spaniards and eventually by the Americans. It encourages the people to become aware of the social and political circumstances at that time. * 1637 - SuccessosFelices (Fortunate Events) is the first Philippine newsletter was launched by Tomas Pinpin who is known as "The Father of Filipino Printing".1799 - HojasVolantes or "flying sheets" | Aviso Al Publico (Notices to the Public) * August 8, 1811 - Del Superior Govierno was the first actual newspaper. It was launched by Gov. Fernandez del Forgueras. * December 1, 1846 - La Esperaza, the first daily newspaper edited by Felipe Lacorte and Evaristo Calderon. * 1847 - La Estrella * 1848 - Diario de Manila * 1852 - BoletinOficial de Filipinas * 1862 - El Catolico Filipino was considered the first Philippine Religious newspaper and was publish by Mariano Sevilla. * 1865 - El Porvenir Filipino * 1884 - El Eco de Vigan was the first provincial newspaper which was issued in Ilocos. * April 1, 1887 - La Opinion - According to historians was the first paper to defy the friars and campaigned for the ouster of the religious. | * February 15, 1889 - La Solidaridad was published in Madrid Spain. It was financed by Dr. Pablo Riazares and edited by Graciano Lopez-Jaena. * January 18, 1896 - AngKalayaan was the official revolutionary newspaper of the KataastaasangKagalang-galangangKatipunanngmgaAnakng Bayan. It illustrates the cruelties committed by the civil guards and Spanish friars against Filipino. The call for the Filipino people to revolt against the Spain was evident in the articles contained in the newspaper. * June 20, 1898 -La Libertad was published and edited by Clemente Jose Zulueta. He was an enterprising writer, disappointed bibliophile, and later official researcher in the archives of Paris, Madrid, and Mexico, * September 3, 1898 - La Independencia was founded by Gen. Antonio Luna and his brother Joaquin. It was considered the most significant newspaper of the revolution. * September 15, 1898 - The Newspaper La Republica Filipina was published in Mandaluyong, Rizal. It was edited by Pedro Paterno. In 1901, Maj. Gen. Douglas MacArthur included in his annual report to the Secretary of War that both La Republica and La Independencia are “official organ of insurgent government” * September 29, 1898 - Periodical El Heraldo de la Revolicion Filipina was published in MalolosBulacan for the first time. It was the official publication of the revolutionary government founded by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on July 14, 1898. * December 18, 1898 -La Revolution was focused on explaining that “our claims are as great as our strength” and it aimed “to defend the rights that the Filipino have won.” It was published in Jaro, Iloilo. * March 24, 1899 - ColumnasVolantes was published in Lipa, Batngas. It contained articles about general politics and military movements. It was published by young professionals, who belonged to the Club DemocraticoIndependiente. * November 18, 1899 - Both newspapers, Filipinas Ante Europa and El Defensor de Filipinas, were published in BarcelonaSpain. It was edited by Isabelo de los Reyes.Escote, AlixanderHaban. "A History of Journalism in the Phlippines." SOCYBERTY. 28August2008. 23 Sep 2008 <http://www.socyberty.com/History/A-History-of-Journalism-in-the-Philippines-Revolutionary-Period.232247>. |
Newspapers in the Philippines were highly influenced by Americans when they entered Manila Bay in 1898, this is the year when United States won its war to Spain. Record shows that one of the early newspapers of the United States such as Bounding Billow was published on board by Dewey's Flag Ship, this an early attempt to "civilize" the Filipinos after the US-Spanish war. During that time, American journalist in the Philippines characterized the natives as "little brown" soldiers who will support the Americans or they can be warlike tribe who will devour each other when American troops will leave the Philippine soil. On that reason, Americans wasted no time in establishing a press system in the Philippines. The first published English-Language newspaper that was established in October 1898 was the Manila Times. After two years, H.G. Harris and Carson Taylor founded another influential newspaper which is the Bulletin. For the next three years, the Bulletin was published free of charge; and it became a paid newspaper last 1912. In 1917, the Manila Times was purchased by Manuel Quezon, but after four years Times joined the other press holding of Alejandro Roces Sr. During that time Among Roces also owns different news papers such as Taliba, The Tribune and La Vaguardia. Even Filipinos love the principle of "freedom of expression", Philippine Newspapers were subjected to strict censorship during the American rule. Different news about movement against the presence of American forces in the country were suppressed. Journalist that exercised the freedom of the press were deported or imprisoned. News papers such as La Justicia, Cebuano and El Nueva Dia were suspended because of their nationalistic views. Senated President Manuel L. Quezon founded the Philippines Herald to present viewpoint of Filipinos to fight for independence. In August 1920, staff members of the former Manila Times such as Narciso Ramos, Antonio Escoda, Bernardo Garcia and Jose P. Bautista joined the Herarld. It was also on this year that the first English-language women's magazine was published; Women's Outlook. In April 1925, Among Roces also purchased the Manila Times and established the Tribune. With Mauro Mendez as the editor-in-chief, the Tribune discussed topics such as misuse of government funds, the advantage of English being the language of instructions in schools, peasant unrest, threat of communism, etc. After the Philippines was granted full independence, our local newspapers shifted their efforts in writing about wrongdoings in our country. They have a very good intention but sometimes the news is one sided and not substantiated. As time pass by, rich and elite families took ownership over these newspaper. In 1972 at the height of Martial Law by Ferdinand Marcos, the assets of these newspapers were confiscated and were given to his "cronies" and close friends. Between 1972 and 1986, the newspapers remained in “not so good” conditions. The death of Benigno Aquino Jr in 1983 helped the Philippines to have a "freer and more independent" press. Because of the threat of the growing dissatisfaction against the current regime, Marcos fled the country in 1986. With the founding of the Commission on Good Government , assets of newspapers from Marcos allies were confiscated. The press celebrated in regaining its freedom; some newspapers were returned to their previous owners before the martial law . During the 1990s, newspapers of all sizes, types and political perspective reached a number of 30. There were also considered 14 tabloids that were written in Tagalog and Cebuano. Diversity can be seen on these newspapers and four were published in Chinese. According to the World Press Review, newspapers were grouped through circulation. There is dozen of newspapers that were circulated between 100,000 and 300,000; there is also a dozen that were being circulated between 50,000 and 100,000;three with circulation from 25,000 and 50,000;one having 10,000 and 25,000 and two were being circulated from 10,000.