Dilemma of the local Broadcast Media in Marawi

MARKUS SIDNEY RAMAINI

Marawi City, Lanao del Sur

January 17, 2016

The dilemma that local broadcast media faces is that they could not truly perform the role of the Fourth Estate of which they are supposed to be part as enshrined in democratic tenet. Except Manila Broadcasting Company-DXEM Radyo Natin, all stations are propaganda arms of political clans or of the government.

Ranao Radio and Television 13 which has one local cable channel, one AM and one FM radio oulets is owned by the Adiong Family. 

DXSR Salam Radio is operated by the family of City Mayor Sultan Fahad Pre Salic.

The other televisions are operated by political families, one by the Dumarpa's and the other by the family of Binladen. 

Former Congresswoman Fayzah Dumarpa is now seeking to be the representative of the first congressional district of Lanao del Sur in Congress.

Binladen is running for regional vice governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). He is known politician having run for political posts but mostly lost.

Another radio station airing in the locality is Philippine Broadcasting Service-DXSO Radyo ng Bayan operated by Malacanang and therefore cannot talk anything against or unfavorable to the palace.

It is not therefore surprising if an event led, hosted or even graced by one politician is not well-covered by the local media even if such is important for public information because other radio/TV stations owned by that politician opponents will not cover.