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I. INTRODUCTION.
A. Background of the Study
An editorial cartoon is the picture that tells the thousand words of crap
journalism thats framed around it, said Alan Coren (2007).
Obnoxious and merciless as it may be, the former editor of British satirical
magazine Punch has a point.
This is a brutal comparison of the (sometimes overlong) prose that journalists tend
to write to say the same thing as a single editorial cartoon. This may be an unfair
description of the whole situation. Nevertheless, the point is that editorial cartoons are
more, well, direct to the point.
However, a deeper study on the effectiveness of editorial cartoons reveal that it is
a bit more complicated than that.
Editorial cartoons contain an interplay of visual and textual elements, all
condensed into one panel (Jimoh, 2010). This makes them potentially very rich in
meaning. The problem is whether this meaning is effectively transmitted to its audience.
The most powerful weapon that editorial cartoons use the exaggeration of the
features of its subjects usually politicians. This is referred to as caricature, or
distorted portraiture that emphasizes the characteristic traits of an individual (Kondowe,
W., Ngwira, F. F. and Madula, P., 2014).
In fact, Radcliffe (2004) said: If we dont laugh it hasnt worked. Humor is
what makes editorial cartoons entertaining.
However, editorial cartoons go beyond mere entertainment. Its depictions of its
subjects in humorous ways are guided by the use of icons, or symbols metaphorically
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representing objects or concepts. With this symbolism, cartoonists subtly inform,
educate and entertain the readership (Adejuwon and Alimi, 2009).
With all these, Burack (2011) said that editorial cartoons go beyond comic relief.
Ashfaq (2008) adds that they can, in fact, provide a safe platform for social commentary.
Katz (2004) said that political cartoonists have a critical voice with persuasive
power. Moreover, cartoonists have achieved unprecedented visibility and influence.
Editorial cartoons are effective. The question is the nature of this effectiveness.
Do cartoons just get ones attention? Or do they go beyond mere shock value?
One particularly interesting example of editorial cartoons in action can be
observed in the official publication of the University of the Philippines-Diliman the
Philippine Collegian (more known as Kul).
The publication began as the College Folio in 1910, which became the Varsity
News in 1917, and finally, the Philippine Collegian in 1922 (Valenzuela, 1933).
The Collegian maintains a stand for democracy and academic freedom. Its history
is marked by its distinctive type of advocacy journalism.
The Collegian works under the practice of interrogating accepted modes of
thinking and overturning paradigms breeds criticism of the powers that be a criticism
that was not always welcome, especially at times when to be informed was an
offense (Nava, 1996).
In fact, the Collegian was a member of the mosquito press, the moniker former
dictator Marcos dubbed campus journalism when it became the alternative journalism of
the time (CEGP, 2014). The Collegian continued to pester the Marcos administration
during Martial Law, even under pressure from the dictator and the militia.
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In fact, several of its editors Abraham Sarmiento Jr., Antonio Tagamolila, and
Enrique Voltaire Garcia III, allegedly died from harassment from the government
(______, ______).
The aforementioned is one example wherein the publication became a tool for
commentary against the government. The next examples find the Collegian assuming the
role of a tool for social commentary against the university itself.
Homobono Adaza, then editor in chief (EIC), was removed from office for an
editorial against the UP administration (______, ______).
Vidal Tan editorial etc. <MORE>
More than a hundred years later, the Collegians role as a powerful tool for social
commentary is ripe for study specifically, the role of its editorial cartoons.
The editorial cartoons of the Collegian have been an integral part of
<MORE>
Editorial cartoons are short and blunt. This makes them effective. However, as
Radcliffe (2004) says that cartoonists dont have to provide evidence, be reasonable, or
even offer balanced and constructive opinion.
This begs the question: Do the editorial cartoons of the Collegian use this
opportunity to be effective tools of social commentary?
More importantly: In the first place, what are the effects of these editorial
cartoons, and are how effective are they?
B. Rationale of the Study
As a
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Are the editorial cartoons in the Philippine Collegian just another comic strip, just
another curious art form? Or are they an effective form of media that can express and
affect public opinion and action?
This study can help similar researches about the potential of editorial cartoons and
other similar alternative forms of social commentary. There is a current dearth of research
about the editorial cartoons of the Collegian, and this study can spur other similar studies,
in the same or different publications.
On a smaller scale, this can benefit both the publication (the UP Collegian) and its
consumers (the UP students), as it will determine the effectiveness of the publications
editorial cartoons. On a larger scale, this can spur the increased study of the potential of
cartoons as a medium of expression in areas other than journalism (social development,
education, etc.)
C. Statement of the Problem and Objectives.
This research will analyze the production of editorial cartoons in the official UP
Diliman student publication, the Philippine Collegian, as well as determine its
effectiveness (or richness) from its readers perspective.
Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:
1. How are the editorial cartoons in the Collegian produced? What does the
Collegian aim to achieve in the publication of these cartoons?
2. Are the editorial cartoons in the Collegian perceived to be an effective form of
media for social commentary by its readers, especially in the context of the unique
nature of the publication?
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3. Are the editorial cartoons in the Collegian effective narratives for its readers, in
the sense that it communicates its messages into forms that appeals to reason and
are shaped by its readers background?
Objectives of the Study.
The general objective of this study is to identify the perceived effectiveness of the
editorial cartoons of the Collegian from the perspective of its readers.
Specifically, the study aims to:
1. analyze the production process of editorial cartoons of the Collegian;
2. identify the effects of editorial cartoons; and
3. determine the perceived effectiveness of the editorial cartoons of the Collegian as
tools for social commentary, in the context of the nature of the publication.