By: Michaela Ann Marie Razon
5th of May 2020, when the franchise to operate of ABS-CBN was expired, due to some “laws” that they violated according to FICTAP.
Some people think that 6th of May, 2020 is just a normal day with new issue, but for me as a communication major student that day is a night mare, because it is clear to me that the ABS-CBN shutdown is a big threat to Press Freedom, also this is the start of fascist regime of the current administration of Duterte, fascist regime that are attacking those media outlets who are not in favor in them.
Some said “Mayroon pa namang ibang channel may press freedom parin“(there are some channels that are still open, there’s still a press freedom),little they did know that if the Government can do it to a single network, they can also do it with the rest of the channels that this Country have.
FICTAP complaint against the digital black box and having many channels, they said that this is not legal because they are asking the netizens to pay for it even though the Network stated that this one’s for free, but this “magical” black box is just an option, the Network is not forcing their viewers to buy, also in order to have that digital black box you only need to pay for it once unlike other cable networks that the payment of it is per month, and also they are insisting that the network are collecting payments for the movies that they are showing which again is not required, if you want to watch the feature movie they you can watch it and pay and if you don’t it’s fine, and it is right and just to pay for those movies to give credits to those people of work hard to produce that.
Others also said that the ABS-CBN is not fixing their franchise well in fact there are more than 10 franchise renewal bills since then but the congress is not minding them due to some political matters and also about the taz issues. But the BIR already cleared ABS-CBN.
This government is taking advantage of this crisis, they are launching tons of issues to cover their fail plans in fight against Covid 19 pandemic.
It is so frustrating that while our Health workers are busy taking care of those people who got infected with Covid 19, while the poorest of the poor are busy finding what to eat, while other kindhearted citizens are busy helping those who is in need and while most of the people spending and wasting their time in social media The government is manipulating us to put our attention in other issues so that their failed plans during lockdown will be cover up and also they’re continuing to be the puppet of China by intending that Philippines and China have a strong relation, reason for the China to China to enjoy the resources of our own island.
This ABS-CBN shutdown is a threat to press freedom because we can clearly see that there was no valid reason to not renew their franchise, it’s just that the President have it’s own personal issues about the mentioned network and not renewing their franchise is his revenge, and because of that personal issue of our beloves president, 11 thousands of filipinos got unemployed, how mature is our president to handle his personal hatred right?
If this government can shutdown one network they can also do it with the rest. This government doesn’t want Media that are exposing their true colors and against to them.
It’s bothering me to think that I’m living in a democratic country that speaking up for truth will make you suffer.
Intuitus Est Herald 