Drawing Reality: A Semiotic Analysis of "War On Drugs” Editorial Cartoons in Philippine Broadsheets

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Editorial cartoons are illustrations that convey messages on specific realities in the world. "Cartoons are intended to transform otherwise complex and opaque social events and situations into quick and easily readable depictions that facilitate comprehension of the nature of social issues and events" (Abraham, 2009). It would be thus of interest to investigate on the editorial cartoons on a controversial issue in the Philippines using the theory of semiotics. This paper aims to analyze the War on Drugs cartoons published on "The Manila Bulletin” based on the theory of semiotics.

METHODS

The data for this study are six editorial cartoons from the two leading broadsheets in the Philippines, " ̃The Philippine Daily Inquirer' and "The Manila Bulletin”. The selection criteria were clearly established prior to the conduct of this study. First, the researcher selected the top two most read broadsheets in the country based on the 2016 Nielsen Consumer and Media View Study.

RESULTS

Using Semiotic analysis, the following results were drawn: Table 1. Summary of AnalysisCartoon Theme Message

PDI 1 (Backfire) The campaign against drugs and the issue of "coddling drug lords” make the president's position at risk.

PDI 2 (Backfire) The "War on Drugs" evidently backfires President Duterte and General "Bato”

PDI 3 (To be rehabilitated or To be killed) As the “War on Drugs" continue, more numbers are added on the death list.

MB 1(To be rehabilitated or To be killed) Drug addicts are killed instead of being rehabilitated

MB 2(The elusive truth) The public's quest for the "elusive truth” on Kian's death

MB3 ( Excuses for killing) "Nanlaban” as the common excuse of the police every time killing happens.

Legend:

PDI - Philippine Daily Inquirer MB - Manila Bulletin

DISCUSSIONS

DiscussionThe Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) maintains its image as anti-government with its direct criticism on President Duterte as reflected in the two backfire themes. Another personality, PNP Chief General "Bato” was also criticize in one of the cartoons. On the other hand, The Manila Bulletin (MB) focuses on the issue and not on personalities such as the president and the PNP chief. These situations depicted on the cartoons are unconstructive on Philippine leadership. Although these cartoons do not involve the international community, the "war on drugs” campaign in the Philippines has instigated negative reactions not only from the local but also from the international community.