"The Machine That Killed Bad People" explores the cultural and political events in the Philippines that led to the 1986 ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos. It examines how electronic media played a part in the fight for power and the wider issue of American involvement in developing nations. The film uses a fragmented structure, similar to television news, combining footage of Filipino activists and reporters with segments featuring a fictional anchorwoman and correspondent, commentary from filmmaker Trinh T. Minh-ha, unseen voice and script by Fagin, and excerpts from commercial television.