- This recent move by the NTC was condemned by many
ABS-CBN stopped its radio and TV operations last Tuesday, May 5, in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) cease and desist order following the lapse of its franchise.
This move of the government was condemned by several politicians, TV personalities, and various groups as they viewed this as a threat to press freedom and an added problem to the country which is currently battling the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan group or Bayan expressed their support for ABS-CBN and regarded its closure as a result of “tyranny”.
“We stand with ABS-CBN amid this very serious threat to press freedom coming from the NTC. Panibagong panggigipit ito sa media. Kahit panahon ng COVID19 at ECQ, tila hindi tumitigil ang mga pwersa ng tiraniya,” Bayan said.
Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara was disappointed over the National Telecommunications Commission’s move for to shut down one of the reliable sources of news for Filipinos.
“This is a time when we need reliable information and we shut down one of the sources that is practically in every household of Filipinos? So where is the Filipino going to get news now? From the internet where there is a lot of fake news? No disrespect to other channels,” Angara said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also agreed. “It is totally contrary to law and is a grave abuse of discretion.”
Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri was dismayed by NTC’s cease and desist order for ABS-CBN.
“What I find highly irregular is that I know for a fact that there are many stations operating on provisional authority… We can cite many instances when the NTC granted provisional authority for those still applying for their franchises,” Zubiri claimed.
Congresswoman and former Kapamilya actress Vilma Santos-Recto said she still hopes that NTC would reconsider their decision.
“This is definitely not a good news. Specially at this time na maraming walang trabaho. I’m definitely saddened by this development. I still hope that the NTC will reconsider its decision and allow ABS-CBN to operate. I’m hopeful that our President will reverse the order of the NTC,” Santos-Recto said.
Vergel Santos, the former chairman of Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, believed that shutting down a media network like ABS-CBN is “worrisome” especially at this time.
“This is terrible. I find this really worrisome because it comes at a time when the media, in particular, ABS-CBN, have been stepping up in its role in the face of this pandemic,” stated Santos.
He added,“We are being blindsided here. We’ve been locked down and therefore focused on our own well-being, and this government is taking advantage of all of this incapacity.”
The Deputy Director Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch also reacted to the halted operations of ABS-CBN.
“Human Rights Watch views this turn of events with deep concern, coming as it did on the heels of efforts by the Duterte administration to intimidate and muzzle the Philippine press,” HRW Deputy Director aired in a statement.
“This also comes at the worst possible time, when the Covid19 pandemic is ravaging countries like the Philippines and when accurate and truthful information is needed crucially,” he added.
Here are other politicians and group who voiced out their opposition to NTC’s order against ABS-CBN.
Attack the virus, not the press, not our right to know. The press plays a critical role in delivering timely info, and holding power to account amid public health crisis. The Duterte regime must focus its efforts to defeat COVID-19 instead.#DefendPressFreedom#NoToABSCBNShutDown
— Sarah Elago (@sarahelago) May 5, 2020
Just wondering POGOS continue but ABSCBN was ordered to stop operations? Millions of fans of these artists &shows are locked down in their homes without WIFI depending on TV shows of their favorite celebrities to bring them joy. Abroad TFC brings home to the OFWs as well. So sad.
— Angeli Pangilinan Valenciano (@AngeliPV) May 5, 2020
pity the deputy commissioner. i’m sure this isn’t his decision solely, but he’s left on his own to defend it. i wonder though where’s the head of the agency? #DefendPressFreedom #ABSCBN
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) May 5, 2020
In the middle of a pandemic and a recession. Grabe ito
— Sonny Angara (@sonnyangara) May 5, 2020
Sa dami ng problema ng Pilipinas… sa dami ng nagkakasakit at namamatay sa Covid… sa laki ng problema ngayon sa ekonomiya..sa dami ng nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa covid..
Talagang pagpapatigil ng ABSCBN ang inatupag nila. Hindi ko maintindihan kung nasaan ang mga puso nito.
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) May 5, 2020
We call on the community of independent Filipino journalists and on all Filipinos who cherish democracy and liberty to stand together and resist this government’s brazen assault on freedom of the press and of expression.
— NUJP (@nujp) May 5, 2020
The controversial closure of the media giant created an uproar in the country and abroad. Twitter netizens also voiced solidarity with the celebrities and workers affected by ABS-CBN’s shutdown. The #NoToABSCBNShutDown topped the local Twitter trending list on Tuesday afternoon, May 5, 2020.
A total of fifteen bills had been filed in the House of Representatives and three in the Senate proposing to renew the license of ABS-CBN that grants them another 25 years to operate. Unfortunately,none of the bills were passed as Congress went on recess last March.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) then announced that it will issue a provisional authority to allow ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries to operate until June 2022, while Congress continues to deliberate on the renewal of its franchise. But the agency instead ordered a cease and desist order against the media giant.
According to a statement of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, ABS-CBN was ordered to close down by the NTC due to the “lack of valid legislative franchise”. He said the network is “free to exhaust all legal remedies available on it.”
Roque also thanked the network for “its services to the Filipino nation and people specially in this time of COVID-19.”
