ANC report takes closer look at Marcos Jr.’s vlog 

CHEERS TO ANC’s Dateline Philippines anchor Karmina Constantino who asked Malacañang reporter Pia Gutierrez to share her insights on President Marcos’ “Unang Linggo” vlog on YouTube, in which he discussed his first week in office. The report recognized that how the Marcos camp uses social media still merits close watch even after the election.

In her July 11 report, Constantino noted that the vlog did not mention the president’s state of health despite its posting on July 9, when it had already been announced that he was in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. 

Asked by Constantino about the production of the vlog, Gutierrez responded that the production team behind the vlog remains unknown, but is probably the same team behind Marcos campaign. Gutierrez called the vlogs a continuation of his campaign strategy to give “personal takes” on his activities, even as he takes on the  responsibilities of the presidency.

Mainstream media should focus on this administration’s use of social media, sharing platforms and other apps. It has been established that all these spread false narratives and connected blocks of disinformation. 

Doing so will raise public awareness on  how governments not just in this country have made propaganda, not public information, a centerpiece of their governance. Constantino correctly raised questions about the vlog’s failure to include the state of the President’s health when the Press Secretary had announced he has COVID-19—a rather grave omission that may have been intentional. She flagged it as misleading. Other journalists should watch the presidential weekly vlog closely. 

Journalists should check which agency is charged with this aspect of presidential communication. If government funds are being used, then the people have a right to know.