Congress has done it again: betray the Filipino people. This time, by striking another blow to press freedom and the people’s right to know. To say that the members of the media sector are perturbed and disappointed is an understatement: we are beyond aghast by how the supposed politicians who were thrust to create new […]
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Speaking in behalf of representatives in favor of the embattled media network’s bid for a fresh franchise, Rep. Zarate called on the rest of the members of the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Franchises to vote for the people.
The post Rep. Carlos Zarate’s summation on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal appeared first on Kodao Productions.
Today marks a dark day on press freedom and democracy in the Philippines—and a sign of even darker days to come as the fascist Duterte regime rabidly unleashes its consecutive attacks on the people from the signing of the Anti-Terrorism Act into law just a few days ago, and now, the rubber stamp Congress’ denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
“It is clear as day that ABS-CBN is being punished for reporting and commenting on issues in a manner unacceptable to the Duterte administration.”
By EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat.com
MANILA– Media organizations and press freedom advocates are enraged at the denial of ABS-CBN franchise.
Voting 70-11, the House committee on legislative franchise voted against the giant network’s franchise renewal.
In a statement, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) branded Congress as “an enemy of democracy.”
“Today, this chamber has lost all claim to represent the people and our interests,” the NUJP said.
The largest organization of journalists in the country said Congress did not only strip more than 11,000 workers of their jobs but also deprived millions of Filipinos of their right to know and their right to choose how they access the information they need.
In a separate statement, Altermidya, the national network of alternative media groups in the Philippines, said the Congress’ denial to grant ABS-CBN franchise, together with closure orders, “are a government-orchestrated plot and nothing less than censorship.”
In December 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte himself publicly threatened to shut down ABS-CBN. He repeatedly accused the network of “biased reporting.”
“It is clear as day that ABS-CBN is being punished for reporting and commenting on issues in a manner unacceptable to the Duterte administration,” Altermidya said.
“It is also a warning to other media outfits that if the Duterte regime can shut down the largest broadcasting network in the country with impunity, every journalist should think twice before it reports truthfully, or criticizes and dares hold government to account,” the group added.
During the 12 marathon hearings conducted by the House committee, Duterte’s allies took their cue from the President and berated ABS-CBN representatives for the network’s election coverage.
In a statement, Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP), expressed solidarity with journalists, artists and media workers. “We condemn how the country’s largest broadcast network was killed by those in government, starting with President Duterte himself whose threats triggered the turn of events leading to today,” it said.
CAP vowed to remember the 70 members of the committee who “acted against the interests of the Filipino people, unheeding of all the appeals, protests, and facts that support the renewal of the network’s franchise.”
Both the NUJP and Altermidya called on the public to continue asserting press freedom and the people’s right to know.
The National Telecommunications Commission issued a ceast and desist order against ABS-CBN on May 5 pending the decision of Congress on the network’s franchise bid.
On June 30, the NTC also ordered the closure of ABS-CBN’s digital platforms TV Plus and SKY Direct, SKY Cable’s satellite cable service.
The post Denial of ABS-CBN franchise ‘tantamount to censorship’ – group appeared first on Bulatlat.
STATEMENT
Bulatlat.com
Congress has done it again: betray the Filipino people. This time, by striking another blow to press freedom and the people’s right to know.
To say that the members of the media sector are perturbed and disappointed is an understatement: we are beyond aghast by how the supposed politicians who were thrust to create new laws for the benefit of the Filipino people only muckraked ABS-CBN and marred the franchise deliberations with egotistical gripes and weak accusations.
The Congress’ denial to grant a franchise, together with the NTC orders, are a government-orchestrated plot and nothing less than censorship. Pres. Duterte himself, who has been hostile against the network, has urged the Lopez family in December to sell the network so its franchise could be renewed.
It is clear as day that ABS-CBN is being punished for reporting and commenting on issues in a manner unacceptable to the Duterte administration. It is also a warning to other media outfits that if the Duterte regime can shut down the largest broadcasting network in the country with impunity, every journalist should think twice before it reports truthfully, or criticizes and dares hold government to account.
All these are a blow to the people’s right to information. And a public denied of its right to know is a copious climate for tyranny and impunity.
We are beyond enraged. The fight for press freedom and the people’s right to know does not end with this farce in Congress. The Filipino media, and the broad section of the Filipino nation, are not backing down. We will exhaust all efforts to fight back and reclaim our rights. (Bulatlat.com)
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STATEMENT
Congress has done it again: betray the Filipino people. This time, by striking another blow to press freedom and the people’s right to know.
To say that the members of the media sector are perturbed and disappointed is an understatement: we are beyond aghast by how the supposed politicians who were thrust to create new laws for the benefit of the Filipino people only muckraked ABS-CBN and marred the franchise deliberations with egotistical gripes and weak accusations.
The Congress’ denial to grant a franchise, together with the NTC orders, are a government-orchestrated plot and nothing less than censorship. Pres. Duterte himself, who has been hostile against the network, has urged the Lopez family in December to sell the network so its franchise could be renewed.
It is clear as day that ABS-CBN is being punished for reporting and commenting on issues in a manner unacceptable to the Duterte administration. It is also a warning to other media outfits that if the Duterte regime can shut down the largest broadcasting network in the country with impunity, every journalist should think twice before it reports truthfully, or criticizes and dares hold government to account.
All these are a blow to the people’s right to information. And a public denied of its right to know is a copious climate for tyranny and impunity.
We in Altermidya are beyond enraged. But the fight for press freedom and the people’s right to know does not end with this farce in Congress. The Filipino media, and the broad section of the Filipino nation, are not backing down. We will exhaust all efforts to fight back and assert our rights.
The post ABS-CBN shutdown: An assault on the people’s right to know appeared first on AlterMidya.
“To our congressmen, please vote for ABS-CBN. Please vote yes for our families. I hope you will heed our calls.”
By ALYSSA MAE CLARIN
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – At least 140 vehicles of employees and supporters joined the motorcade to the House of the Representatives July 9, in an attempt to urge lawmakers into voting ‘Yes’ for ABS-CBN’s bid for legislative franchise.
Led by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the motorcade started in front of ABS-CBN’s Esguerra Gate. The vehicles were adorned with balloons or ribbons in blue, green and red, which symbolize ABS-CBN.
The group held a 30-minute program outside the gates of Batasang Pambansa, with employees and supporters chanting their calls, “Defend Press Freedom” and “No to Shutdown.”
In his speech, Jon Villanueva, president of the Rank-and-File Employees’ Union of ABS-CBN, appealed to the lawmakers on behalf of more than 11,000 employees who stand to lose their jobs if ABS-CBN stays off-air.
“We remain scared knowing that any time, we might lose our jobs,” Villanueva said.
According to ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak, the broadcasting giant will be forced to retrench its workers by August if they are not granted another franchise.
“To our congressmen, please vote for ABS-CBN. Please vote yes for our families. I hope you will heed our calls,” Villanueva said.
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate joined the ABS-CBN employees gathered outside the gates of the Congress.
Zarate, a former journalist, mentioned that the 12-marathon hearings proved that ABS-CBN in fact, did not violate their legislative franchise, hence, there’s no reason for the Committee of Legislative Franchise to deny the broadcast company their 25-year renewal.
“Now the ball is in the hands of our congressmen, particularly the members of the Committee on Legislative Franchise. Let us hope that they will vote for what is right, and give ABS-CBN another franchise,” Zarate said.
House Committee on Legislative Franchise Chairperson Rep. Franz Alvarez said that they will make a draft of all the recommendations regarding ABS-CBN’s application for legal franchise in order to “have a systematic and organized consideration of both sides.”
Members of the committee will be casting their vote on ABS-CBN’s franchise today, June10.
Role of media
During the last hearing, lawmakers accused ABS-CBN for their alleged ‘biased reporting,’ particularly during the 2016 elections. However, NUJP maintained that this should not be a basis for the legal franchise bid.
“It is not the journalists’ job to take care of politician’s feelings,” said NUJP Secretary General Dabet Panelo.
“Our job is to report accurately, and independently. Our job is to make sure that politicians are also doing their jobs correctly.”
The National Telecommunications Commission issued a ceast and desist order against ABS-CBN on May 5 pending the decision of Congress on the network’s franchise bid.
On June 30, the NTC also ordered the closure of ABS-CBN’s digital platforms TV Plus and SKY Direct, SKY Cable’s satellite cable service.
President Rodrigo Duterte publicly threatened to shut down ABS-CBN for its alleged “biased reporting.”
The post Employees urge lawmakers to vote ‘Yes’ to ABS-CBN’s franchise appeared first on Bulatlat.
