Written by: Croisanne

Cartoon by: Ironlix

54 years from now, when one man got a hold of such great power that he was unable to loosen his grip, going as far as to draining the ink out of the media’s pen, that even if they were to twist and wrench it, they’d fail to strain a drop.

During the Martial Law, the late president, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., shut down almost all media outlets and publications, leaving only platforms within his direct control. He suppressed all media because, according to him, they convey more of the administration’s “negative side,” allegedly adding fuel to the spark of communists and rebel groups.

He went as far as to imprisoning journalists, and other personalities who expressed great opposition toward him and his administration.

In today’s world, although the press has been given a lot more room for freedom of expression, the press still remains tightly strained—with journalists facing “red-tagging” and threats, it feels like time has not passed.

The commemoration of the declaration of martial law acts as a constant reminder of what we people have to take note for the future. If we cannot look back to the past, we may never foresee what will happen in our future. We must look back, to see past our future.

History never repeats itself, but man repeats history—so we must strive to remember.