The Rise of Unverified News in Post-Siege Marawi: A City Reliant on Facebook’s Shadows
The 2017 Marawi siege left a city scarred not just by physical destruction, but also by an information vacuum. Traditional media crumbled under the weight of the conflict, leaving residents desperate for news. Into this void stepped citizen-led groups on Facebook, rapidly becoming the city’s primary source of information. While these groups initially filled a critical need, their lack of journalistic training and anonymous nature fostered a breeding ground for misinformation. This reliance on unverified sources continues to plague Marawi years after the siege, blurring the lines between fact and fiction and eroding public trust.
This citizen journalism phenomenon, while well-intentioned, has inadvertently fueled a wave of disinformation. Pages like Marawi News Online, boasting over 100,000 followers, frequently publish unverified reports, often blending personal opinions with news lifted from mainstream media without attribution. Similarly, Marawi City Bayan Patrol, with an even larger following, posts about petty crimes lacking context or detail, blurring the lines between responsible reporting and rumour-mongering. The anonymity of these page administrators allows them to operate without accountability, further complicating efforts to combat disinformation. These pages, while fulfilling a demand for information, contribute to a chaotic information landscape.
MJournal, another prominent Facebook page, presents itself as a non-partisan news source, publishing content that superficially resembles professional journalism. However, its anonymity and lack of accountability raise significant concerns, particularly regarding its pre-election surveys. Despite conducting surveys and publishing updates about local politics, MJournal’s operators remain shrouded in secrecy. This lack of transparency, coupled with inconsistencies between their survey predictions and election outcomes, raises questions about their methodology and potential biases. This case highlights the dangers of unverified information presented under the guise of journalistic objectivity, particularly during critical periods like elections.
The proliferation of these unverified sources poses a significant challenge to professional journalists in Marawi. Nurainie Rakim, a stringer for the community media platform S’bang Ka Marawi, notes that many of these Facebook pages share identical content and opinions, suggesting possible coordination or even operation by the same individuals or groups. Furthermore, some administrators openly admit to concealing their sources, further undermining their credibility. The ease with which anyone can claim the mantle of “journalist” online exacerbates the problem, creating a confusing and potentially dangerous information environment for Marawi residents.
This situation is further complicated by the cultural dynamics of the region. The Meranaw concept of maratabat, a code of honor and pride, influences social interactions and demands deference to elders and authority figures. This cultural norm often requires journalists to exercise self-censorship to avoid offending powerful individuals or families. Offending a local leader could result in not just losing access to information but also incurring hostility. Consequently, journalists often frame their questions and stories cautiously, sometimes at the expense of critical inquiry. This cultural sensitivity, while understandable, creates an environment where difficult questions go unasked and accountability remains elusive.
While the challenges facing journalism in Marawi are substantial, there remains a glimmer of hope. Community media platforms like S’bang Ka Marawi, supported by NGOs, are empowering local journalists and providing a platform for verified, community-focused news. These initiatives are crucial for training aspiring journalists, fostering media literacy among residents, and combating the spread of disinformation. The efforts of these community platforms, along with the continued efforts of professional journalists working within the constraints of maratabat, represent a crucial step towards building a more robust and accountable media landscape in Marawi. The struggle for reliable information in post-siege Marawi is ongoing, but the dedication of community journalists and media development initiatives offers a pathway towards a more informed and empowered citizenry. While the shadow of disinformation continues to loom large, the seeds of a more responsible and accountable media ecosystem are being sown.