People’s War, People’s Press: History and Evolution of Ang Bayan (The People), the News Organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)
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Due to the pivotal role of the press in revolutions, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) released its official publication Ang Bayan (The People) just months after it was re-established on December 26, 1968. CPP founding chairperson Jose Maria Sison used only a few typewriters and one mimeograph machine to write the first issue of Ang Bayan, published on May 1, 1969. For almost half a century, Ang Bayan was the CPP’s propagandist, agitator, and organizer. It was instrumental to establish and to maintain party unity and to popularize Marxist-Leninist-Maoist ideals. It simultaneously provided alternative news and perspective, especially during the martial law years, and inspired the rise of more revolutionary publications. The advent of the digital age also prompted the CPP to wage its revolution online. By recruiting members from the information technology sector and providing computer literacy training, Ang Bayan was first accessed online in 1998 on the National Democratic Front (NDF) website. Ang Bayan established its own website in 1999.