Asian Journal of Media and Culture
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): Asian Journal of Media and Culture

Digital Satire as Political Discourse: Humor, Memes, and Resistance in Philippine Internet Culture

Salman Farid, Ahmad (Unknown)
M Radiamoda, Anwar (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Jan 2026

Abstract

This study examines the emergence of humor and satire as a new form of political language within the digital culture of the Philippines. It aims to understand how political memes, parody videos, and satirical content function as instruments of political articulation in a society shaped by Catholic values, colonial legacies, and strong oral traditions. Employing a qualitative literature-based analysis, this research synthesizes findings from academic journals, scholarly books, and digital documents to explore the socio-political roles of digital humor. The findings reveal that digital humor serves not merely as entertainment but as a cultural strategy for negotiating power, fostering political solidarity, and expressing collective identity. It enables citizens to criticize authority and address social issues indirectly, aligning with Filipino communication norms of pakikisama (social harmony) and hiya (shame/honor). The study argues that digital humor is fundamentally ambivalent, it can act as a tool of resistance and emancipation while also reinforcing political propaganda and disinformation. This duality underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches to better understand the complex interplay between digital culture, political participation, and socio-cultural characteristics in postcolonial contexts like the Philippines.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ajmc

Publisher

Subject

Arts Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Asian Journal of Media and Culture (e-ISSN 3090-4382) is a peer-reviewed academic journal published biannually (in January and July) by MD Research Center. First published on January 26, 2025, the journal serves as a platform and forum for academics and researchers interested in media and cultural ...