President Rodrigo R. Duterte is a communication phenomenon who needs “deconstructing” to be better understood and appreciated.

On November 25, some of the country’s top social scientists, communication scholars and practitioners will join government spokespersons in a forum aimed at dissecting the communication style that made Rodrigo R. Duterte capture the imagination of 16 million voters, receive high trust rating, and mobilize passionate defenders including the so-called “social media trolls.” 

Deconstructing towards Understanding: the Communication Content & Style of President Rodrigo R. Duterte is being organized by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, Inc. (AMIC). It will be held at the Philippine Women’s University from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to AMIC chairman Dr. Crispin C. Maslog, deconstruction is a social science method of critical text analysis that does not actually mean “demolition.”  The term was coined by French philosopher and semiotician Jacques Derrida in the 1960s. Social scientists use this as method to discover, recognize, and understand the underlying assumptions, ideas, and frames that form the basis for thoughts and beliefs.   

Among the confirmed speakers are Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella, presidential social media expert Nicanor “Nic” Gabunada Jr., communication experts  Charlie Agatep and Ramon “Bong” Osorio, sociolinguist Prof. Farah Cunanan,  political scientist Dr. Clarita Carlos, historian Prof. Clement Camposano, and journalists Ellen Tordesillas, Marites Vitug, John Nery and Ging Reyes.

AMIC is a media international non-government organization (INGO) committed to promote communication and media development in the Asia Pacific region. It seeks to provide a platform for discussion of current and emerging communication issues.

During the event, AMIC will also inaugurate its new headquarters at PWU. Established and registered in 1971 as a non-profit NGO in Singapore, AMIC transferred its operation to Manila, Philippines in 2015. It is managed by the Philippine Women’s University-Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication consortium. 

Those interested to attend must pre-register with Mr. Anthony G. Roman (09276996475) or  Ms. Nora O. Gamolo (09323125802). You may also call AIJC at + 63 2 743-4321. Register here.

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