Many netizens have called for solidarity of Philippine television networks and other private media outfits amid the challenges of ABS-CBN with its franchise renewal.
A certain Rayner Christopher wrote on Twitter that “the message would be more powerful if GMA, TV5, and other media companies will rally behind ABS-CBN.”
https://twitter.com/raynermantos/status/1226769459500634112?s=19
“It will also be a milestone to hear GMA Network and TV5 to plead allegiance to the service, hold hands in this trying times where power is being used to bully press freedom,” a netizen with Twitter handle @rodmagaru also said.
It will also be a milestone to hear GMA Network and TV5 to plead allegiance to the service, hold hands in this trying times where power is being used to bully press freedom. https://t.co/eEuEQG8eMN
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) February 10, 2020
A certain Christian Corpuz also tweeted: “True. Dapat walang kinikilingan. Walang kinakatakutan. Serbisyong totoo lang. Kung nagagawa ng gobyerno sa abs-cbn ‘yan, maisip din sana nla na pwedeng mangyari din sa kanila ang panggigipit. Kaya dapat kumilos din sila at magkaisa.”
True. Dapat walang kinikilingan. Walang kinakatakutan. Serbisyong totoo lang. kung nagagawa ng gobyerno s abscbn yan, maisip din sna nla na pwdng mangyari din sknila ang panggigipit. Kya dpt kumilos din sla at magkaisa.
— Christian Corpuz (@PinoyDiTsekwa) February 10, 2020
“Let us all remember who the real enemy is, this administration. Hoping GMA and TV5 would stand with ABS this time,” wrote by Twitter user Chippy Trinity.
let us all remember who the real enemy is, this administration.
hoping GMA and TV5 would stand with ABS this time
— chippy trinity (@ChippyTrinity) February 11, 2020
“Imagine if @gmanews took a stand with @ABSCBNNews in this fight,” another netizen with Twitter handle @paoloumpa said.
Imagine if @gmanews took a stand with @ABSCBNNews in this fight
— wartortoise (@paoloumpa) February 10, 2020
A certain Pot further noted that “it would be so cool if GMA and TV5 stood in solidarity with rival station ABS-CBN. Surely a threat to one pillar is a threat to the entire institution?”
https://twitter.com/padawanpot/status/1226825505162219523?s=19
“Let’s see GMA, TV5 and the other private media outfits be public in their opposition,” a Niko Batallones said.
https://twitter.com/nikobatallones/status/1226748402093871104?s=19
“Calling #GMA, #TV5, #Inquirer and other warriors of press freedom, show your support!” a certain Idiomo Gonzales tweeted.
https://twitter.com/Idiomo_gonzales/status/1226834774158766081?s=19
Another netizen Gang Capati said: “GMA7, TV5: you open to stand w/ ABS-CBN? Weigh. Delve deep into the decision. Think long term. Horizon. Dream. DREAM LARGE. The Philippines deserves a free, & responsible, & present, & functioning press. This is not political, like the SolGen says, it’s really for freedom. 
”
GMA7, TV5: you open to stand w/ ABS CBN?
Weigh. Delve deep into the decision. Think long term. Horizon. Dream. DREAM LARGE. The Philippines deserves a free, & responsible, & present, & functioning press.
This is not political, like the Sol Gen says, it's really for freedom.
— Gang Capati
A Jessie Severino added, “Media unite.”
Media unite.
— Jessie Severino (@jessie_sev) February 10, 2020
On Monday, Solicitor General Jose Calida has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to revoke the franchise of ABS-CBN.
In his quo warranto petition, Calida accused the network and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. of “unlawfully exercising their legislative franchises.”
He said the network sold products like ABS-CBN TV Plus and KBO Channel that allegedly “broadcasting for a fee, which is beyond the scope of its legislative franchise.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrTqxEoQiMk
Calida also accused the network of having a form of foreign ownership through its Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs), in violation of the foreign ownership restriction on mass media in the Constitution.
But ABS-CBN denied it, saying everything that they do “is in accordance with the law.”
“We did not violate the law. This case appears to be an attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN,” the Lopez-led network said.
The ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire in March.
