On 15 April 2025, veteran foreign correspondent Keith Dalton, who has worked extensively across Southeast Asia, spoke at AIIA NSW. His presentation introduced his new book, Reinventing Marcos: From Dictator to Hero*, on the legacy of former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos and the regime he created. In a deeply personal talk drawing on his years of experience reporting from the field, Dalton relived his time being an in-country correspondent during the reign of Marcos and expressed his frustration with the current, falsified remodelling of Marcos as a benevolent national hero. Dalton’s remarks captured the political evolution of the Philippines and explored the global implications of disinformation, raising important questions about historical memory, media ethics, and the challenges of preserving truth in a digital age.

Dalton was introduced to the audience by experienced international commentator Graeme Dobell FAIIA, who has been reporting on Australian and international politics, foreign affairs and defence, and the Asia Pacific since 1971. At the end of Dalton’ address the chair of the meeting, AIIA Councillor Imogen Biggins, announced the launch of the book and noted that it was available for sale at the event.

The Inspiration and Challenges Behind Dalton’s Book

Dalton’s book, which intertwines his reporting on the Marcos regime in the Philippines with his personal experiences as a correspondent, originated from a health crisis that left him hospitalized for 22 days. During that time, recurring visions of the Philippines, its people, and its history prompted him to write. The book examines the disinformation campaigns that have since transformed Marcos’s image from that of corrupt, violent dictator into that of a benevolent leader, paving the way for his son, Bongbong Marcos, to ascend to the presidency. Dalton highlighted the role of social media in reshaping public perceptions, with many Filipinos relying on online sources for their historical knowledge. This distortion of history deeply troubled Dalton, who described the book as both his most impactful journalism and his most disheartening endeavour.

Publishing the book had proved to be a formidable challenge. Dalton faced rejection from more than 80 publishers and literary agents and lost significant funds to a bankrupt publisher. The book’s distribution remains limited, with only a few copies available in Australia and the Philippines. Despite these hurdles, Dalton views the work as a tribute to the individuals and stories often overlooked in official narratives – as he stated, “I hope I have found the right words to speak for those who cannot”.

Filipino Politics, Historical Disinformation, and the Evolving Role of the Foreign Correspondent 

In discussing the Philippines’ political landscape, Dalton emphasized the enduring influence of dynastic rule and the challenges of combating deeply-entrenched power structures. He pointed to the mythologising of the Marcos era as a cautionary tale, illustrating how false narratives can perpetuate systemic inequality and inhibit meaningful reform. The book’s critical examination of the Marcos regime and its contemporary legacy offers a sobering reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions in the face of disinformation. 

Dalton also reflected on the changing nature of work as a foreign correspondent, contrasting his self-reliant, “T-shirt and jeans” approach with today’s more transient, assignment-driven model. While acknowledging his burnout after years of reporting on Marcos, Dalton expressed concern about the decreasing depth of engagement among modern correspondents. He underscored the importance of immersing oneself in a country’s culture and history to truly understand and convey its complexities. 

Bett Dalton’s Perspective – Life During the Marcos Regime 

In response to an audience question, Dalton’s wife Bett added a personal dimension to the discussion, sharing her experience of living under the Marcos regime. She described the pervasive fear and mistrust that defined daily life as a moderate activist and the daughter of a military colonel. Political conversations were confined to the privacy of their home, and even friends could not be trusted. Her perspective highlighted the personal risks and emotional toll of living and reporting during a time of strict censorship and political repression. 

A Legacy of Human Stories 

Dalton’s presentation left a lasting impression on the audience, offering not only a retrospective of his career but also a powerful critique of historical revisionism and the erosion of journalistic integrity. It prompted audience members to recall their own experiences of the oppressive Marcos regime.

By chronicling the human cost of political upheaval and the resilience of those who resist, Dalton’s book serves as a testament to the enduring power of story-telling in the face of misinformation. His work reminds us that even in an age of digital disinformation, the truth can still be unearthed and preserved through dedicated, principled journalism.

Report by Bayan Sohailee,

AIIA NSW intern

(From left) Graeme Dobell, Bett and Keith Dalton, AIIA NSW intern Charlotte Ryder, Councillor Imogen Biggins and President Ian Lincoln

*https://www.amazon.com.au/Reinventing-Marcos-Dictator-Keith-Dalton/dp/1763760642