Stories Sit in Places: News Media Representations and Social Development Communication of the Protesting Farmers in Central Mindanao, Philippines of the Kidapawan Massacre

This study explored the media representations of farmer-victims in Kidapawan City, the Philippines. By employing critical discourse analysis, it examined 27 tabloid news stories and exposed how Metropolis-based news media represented the farmers who were reportedly involved in socio-political issues with the government that paved the way to the Kidapawan Massacre dated April 1, 2016. The analysis of media representation of farmers identified four themes: the villains-victims, conflict and politics, media as faultfinders and terminology crisis. It included concurring, dissenting and nondiscriminatory arguments, but were not helpful in resolving conflicts. Rather than skewed representations, the media needs to play a better role in upholding the interest of farmers.