Philippines President Marcos closes every major news outlet under martial law
President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law on September 21, 1972, and the next day ordered the military to take over nearly every newspaper, radio and television station in the Philippines, jailing prominent publishers and editors and requiring government clearance for whatever remained.123
- Country
- Philippines (RSF 2026 rank: 114th of 180)
- Where
- PH
- Level of government
- National
- Tactics
- Shutdowns and blocking, Detention and violence, Prior restraint
- Stage
- Silence (see the ladder)
- Head of government at the time
- Ferdinand Marcos
- Issue of the day
- Marcos had declared martial law citing threats from Communist insurgency and civil unrest, and moved immediately to eliminate independent media coverage that might question the declaration or his expanding powers.
- Outcome
- Reversed, February 25, 1986. Marcos was removed from power in the People Power Revolution of February 22-25, 1986, ending martial-law controls on the Philippine press.
- Era
- The 1970s
What happened
President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081, placing the Philippines under martial law, on September 21, 1972. The following day, Letter of Instruction No. 1 ordered the military to take over privately owned newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations nationwide, on the stated ground of preventing their use for state messaging against the government. Major newspapers including the Manila Times, the Manila Chronicle and the Manila Daily Bulletin were closed, along with the country's wire agencies. Publishers and editors known for criticism of Marcos, including Teodoro Locsin Sr. of the Philippines Free Press and Manila Times publisher Chino Roces, were detained in military camps. On September 25, the Department of Public Information ordered that whatever media remained had to obtain clearance before publishing and could carry no editorial commentary critical of the military or law enforcement, controls that continued through the 14-year martial-law period.123
What reason was given
Marcos's Letter of Instruction No. 1 said the media takeover was needed to prevent privately owned newspapers, magazines and broadcast stations from being used for state messaging purposes against the government.1
What changed for reporting
Nearly every major newspaper, radio and television station in the country was shut down or placed under military control, prominent editors and publishers were detained, and surviving outlets needed government clearance before publishing anything.2
Timeline
1972
Who acted
| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Ferdinand Marcos | announced | President of the Philippines |
| Teodoro Locsin Sr. | other | Publisher, Philippines Free Press |
Outlets and journalists
| Name | Kind | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Manila Times | outlet | affected |
| Philippines Free Press | outlet | affected |
Sources
- FAST FACTS: How Marcos silenced, controlled the media during Martial Law
- Back to the Past: A timeline of press freedom
Claims cited
- Letter of Instruction No. 1 said the takeover of media was meant to prevent privately owned newspapers, magazines and broadcast facilities from being used for propaganda purposes against the government.
[I]n order to prevent the use of privately owned newspapers, magazines, radio and television facilities and all other media of communications, for propaganda purposes against the government...
FAST FACTS: How Marcos silenced, controlled the media during Martial Law, Rappler. Claim 186, checked 2026-09-22. - A September 25, 1972 censorship order required news reports to have positive national value and barred any editorial opinion or commentary critical of the military or law enforcement.
news reports of positive national value
FAST FACTS: How Marcos silenced, controlled the media during Martial Law, Rappler. Claim 187, checked 2026-09-22. - Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 placing the Philippines under martial law, and by September 23, 1972 media and opposition figures known for criticizing him were taken to military camps for investigation and detention.
Media and opposition personalities known to be critical against Marcos are taken to military camps for investigation and detention.
Back to the Past: A timeline of press freedom, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR). Claim 188, checked 2026-09-22.