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MANILA, Philippines – The ABS-CBN franchise issue is not about restricting press freedom, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said Wednesday.
After the House of Representatives met in a general House committee to address House Bill 6732 that gives ABS-CBN a provisional franchise to operate until the end of October 2020, Cayetano delivered his sponsorship speech where he addressed various sectors regarding the franchise problem, and this included the media.
Arguing that the issue is not about silencing the media, Cayetano cited ABS-CBN’s continued operations on his online platform.
“The fact that ABS-CBN can still stream its content even after its franchise has been peremptorily terminated shows that this problem is not, nor has it been, about silencing the media or restricting press freedom,” Cayetano said. .
“Just look at the social media platforms and you will see that those freedoms are alive, well and undeniably prosperous in the Philippines,” he added.
Cayetano also addressed reporters, saying that while he respects the call to the lower house to address the ABS-CBN franchise renewal offer, lawmakers cannot simply approve the franchise.
“I respect that you have to stand up to ask for a hearing, containing (just like the) Senate media statement that you are our friends. I respect that you are calling us for not doing this sooner. I even respect that some of you blame me, Alan Peter Cayetano personally, “Cayetano said.
“But when they blindly ask for franchise approval without having listened to all sides of the story, then they are not advocating a fair and balanced presentation of the facts as taught in all schools that teach journalism, as journalists are sworn in , but they simply become simple and simple propagandists, “he added.
Cayetano also said that the media should not “put together this issue for their own personal agenda.”
“That is detriment to the public on whose behalf you claim to defend,” he said.
On May 5, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order against ABS-CBN, ordering the network to stop its transmission operations after its franchise expired on May 4.
The cease and desist order came two days after Attorney General José Cálida warned the NTC not to issue a provisional authority to allow ABS-CBN to continue its operations even beyond the expiration of its legislative franchise.
ABS-CBN obeyed the NTC directive and went off the air at 7:52 p.m. May 5.
KGA
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