†People Power 1: The Role of Communication in a Crisis†

✔The Philippine Revolution of 1986, from 22-25 February, has been acclaimed the first televised revolution in a history. People from all over the world, were glued in their television sets, watching in awe and admiration, as million of Filipinos fought a strange revolution. Not with guns and bullets, but with bare hands, rosaries, religious images, hymns, placards, prayers, flowers, song & faith.

✔The world watched it live, with bated breath, with wide open eyes, through the modern telecommunication and mass communication. About 1,000 foreign correspondents from all over the world were there to cover it.

ヅRadio and television, particularly, led in the election coverage because of their immediacy

ヅRadio Veritas and the alternative press had the highest credibility ratings among the mass media, thus it was the people were already tuned the radio sets, and it reached a crescendo on February 22, 1986.

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★1.World wide Coverage: Because of modern telecommunications and mass communication technology, the snap revolution and the events immediately preceding it were extensively covered by news agencies.

✪2. Role of Radio: Played a primordial role in a crisis-in reporting events as they happened , in airing public opinion, in serving as the communication link among the leaders of the revolution between the rebel leaders and the people, and among the people themselves.

★3. Radio Veritas: Among the radio stations,. Radio Veritas was preeminent. This was mainly because the Catholic radio station's credibility built over the years, probably starting with its reporting of Aquino assassination in 1983.

✪4. Role of Television: A major role, but still secondary to radio was played by television, It was carrying the Marcos line during the campaign and the counting of votes. But when TV 4 was finally captured by the rebels, it became their communication center in Metro Manila and helped catalyze public opinion for President Cory Aquino.

★5. People Power: This phenomenon inspired the production of books and the production of video tapes to record these events for posterity. The Philippine Experience, A videotape by Communication foundation for asia and people power.

✪6. Interpersonal Communication: By word of mouth or by telephone, people in Metro Manila area and throughout the country spread the word and extended the reach of the mass media.

★7. Role of Print Media: It provided more details, more human interest stories about the revolution. more in depth analysis, and certainly a more permanent record of the times which people could refer their grandchildren with pride in years to come.