The Philippines was once said to have the freest press in Southeast Asia , after the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos , due to the subsequent rapid expansion of newspapers , radio stations , and programming throughout the country . This has changed over the years , especially after events such as the Maguindanao massacre , where 34 journalists were killed in a single event . Competing interests within traditional media also complicate the landscape of journalistic transparency — a number of the country 's largest newspapers are owned by a few select families who compete in both business and politics . In response , local organizations have turned to alternative forms of information dissemination . For example , indigenous groups in the Philippines have developed their online media presence in order to build international awareness of local issues — such as land grabbing — since local corporations and political powers and influence over the mainstream media
Maguindanao massacre
Maguindanao massacre
Media activism