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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 6) – The Human Rights Commission denounced the order of the National Telecommunications Commission to close the transmission giant ABS-CBN Corporation.
CHR spokeswoman Jacqueline De Guia said the NTC decision will have a negative impact on the media and freedom of expression.
“The Commission on Human Rights is deeply concerned with the decision to know how this measure sends a chilling effect to free media and negatively impacts freedom of expression,” De Guia said in a statement.
CHR also emphasized the importance of the media to report the truth to the people and hold officials accountable for good governance.
“The information the media provides us every day enables every citizen to make critical decisions about their lives and enables them to demand better services, especially from the government,” the commission said.
De Guia also cited that access to credible information is very crucial in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
“With the station off the air, we lose another voice that people rely on for critical information on how to protect themselves and their loved ones from the harmful effects of the virus,” he said.
The human rights organization also regretted the unfortunate situation of the workforce of 11,000 people from the transmission company owned by López, as they will fight for a source of life aggravated by the closings and quarantines.
“It is ironic that days after commemorating Labor Day on May 1, ABS-CBN workers now face the uncertainty of not having the means to support themselves, their families and even other Filipinos at this time. terrible, “added CHR.
CHR called for surveillance to ensure equal protection of the laws to ABS-CBN amid the closure of the company’s five AM stations, 18 FM stations and 42 television stations.
The NTC yesterday ordered ABS-CBN to halt its operations due to the expiration of its legislative franchise on May 4, 2020. It withdrew from its promise to lawmakers last March to issue a provisional permit pending the franchise renewal. of the network.
President Rodrigo Duterte has been publicly ranting against ABS-CBN since taking office, saying the network refused to carry its campaign commercials even if they had already been paid.
In 2018, Duterte said he will block the renewal of the network franchise. Last year, he told the López family to only sell the company to a new owner to increase their chances of staying in business.
However, the president accepted the apologies offered by ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak during a Senate hearing for issuing an anti-Duterte ad during the 2016 campaign that was paid for by the opposition.
Several media organizations denounced the NTC movement to cease and desist from ABS-CBN operations.
READ: Media organizations condemn NTC order to close ABS-CBN
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