View source for The “Bakwit” Narrative: A Study on the Representation of Filipino Muslims in Documentaries on the War in Marawi

Muti, H.L. (2018). The “Bakwit” Narrative: A Study on the Representation of Filipino Muslims in Documentaries on the War in Marawi, Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis, University of the Philippines Diliman College of Mass Communication.

'''Abstract'''

Conflict and national identity are increasingly important issues in the Philippines given its cultural diversity. Following the broadcast coverage on the war in Marawi from May 23 until October 23 in 2017, the image of Filipino Muslims is put in the public eye through broadcast documentaries and news reports. This study analyzed how Filipino Muslims are represented in documentaries aired during and after the war by local networks in the Philippines such as ABS-CBN, CNN Philippines, and GMA.

Because of past studies, which have suggested media’s important role in shaping public opinion on cultural minorities, it was imperative to analyze the portrayal of Filipino Muslims in the center of conflict during this crucial crisis. In order to complete this inquiry, the study conducted a textual analysis of the visual, verbal, and other elements of the documentaries to examine what sort of messages they send through the use of the specific audio-visual text. The data analysis was guided by the use of two key theories: semiotics and representation theory. 

Through the textual analysis of the eight documentaries, this research was, but a single step toward understanding why the war in Marawi came into existence, what media representations reflected Filipino society during the crisis, and how media operated to challenge the misinformation about Filipino Muslims when it had the chance to do so.

Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that Filipino Muslims were represented fairly and sensitively in the documentaries. Moreover, the perspective taken by each documentary had its own approach in tackling the bakwit narrative in such a way that negative stereotypes and misconceptions against Filipino Muslims were cleared up, discouraged, and combatted.

''Keywords: Marawi, Filipino Muslims, semiotics, textual analysis, documentary''
 
[[Category: CMC Thesis]][[Category:Theses]][[Category: Department of Broadcast Communication]][[Category:2018 Thesis]]