National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) aired its concerns after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) awarded the ABS-CBN frequencies to the media associates of President Rodrigo Duterte.
On Wednesday, January 26, on facebook, NUJP released a statement regarding the dire implications of ABS-CBN frequencies being granted to media entities that have connections to the political clans of the country.
“As allies of ABS-CBN’s media workers in the campaign to keep the network on the air, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is concerned over the assignment of its former frequencies to Villar-linked Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc.
“These networks are perceived to be friendly to government and to one presidential aspirant.
“We are concerned at the concentration of power in a corporate media landscape already dominated by conglomerates and political clans.
“This has dire implications on the people’s right to relevant information, especially during times of crisis,” they announced.
NUJP still hopes that the granting of ABS-CBN frequencies to Manny Villar, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, and ALC Group of Companies will not be a hindrance to the network’s franchise renewal.
NTC announced that Aliw Broadcasting Corporation has been given the authority to use Channel 23.
On Tuesday, January 25, NTC granted a temporary permit for the Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc., owned by Villar to do a test broadcast on Channel 2 and operate a television broadcasting system on Channel 16.
This temporary assignment is for simulcast purposes only, and only until the analog shut-off is scheduled in 2023.
