Watchdogs denounce vote to close major TV network

MANILA — Philippine lawmakers voted Friday to reject the license renewal of the country’s largest TV network, shutting down a major news provider that had been repeatedly threatened by the president over its critical coverage.

International media watchdogs condemned the closure of ABSCBN Corp., which was founded in 1953, as a major blow to press freedom.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Franchises voted 7011 to reject a new 25year license for ABSCBN. The National Telecommunications Commission had ordered the broadcaster to shut down in May after its old franchise expired. It halted broadcasting then, but the vote takes it off the air permanently.

Only the House of Representatives, which is dominated overwhelmingly by President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies, can grant or revoke such a franchise and the chance of any reversal of Friday’s ruling is extremely low, lawmakers said.

The network, which used to be viewed daily on free channels by millions of Filipinos, has been able to continue broadcasting some of its TV and radio news programs over paid cable channels with only a small fraction of its former massive viewership.

“We are deeply hurt,” ABSCBN CEO Carlo Katigbak said, but suggested the company will try to find other ways to return to business.

Duterte and his allies had questioned the network’s compliance with the law and the terms of its franchise. The company steadfastly denied any wrongdoing in a month of televised House hearings.

Human Rights Watch said the lawmakers’ vote was “a grievous assault on press freedom in the country” and the greatest blow to media freedom caused by any government act since late dictator Ferdinand Marcos shut the broadcasting giant and other media outlets after declaring martial law in 1972.

“This move solidifies the tyranny of President Rodrigo Duterte,” said Phil Robertson, the deputy Asia director of the U.S.based rights group.

Reflecting the extent of unease over the network’s shutdown, both the opposition and several key Duterte allies questioned efforts to close it. Concerns have also been raised by a diverse range of groups, including top business executives, leftwing activists and Catholic Church officials.

Media watchdogs accuse Duterte and his government of muzzling independent media such as ABSCBN that have reported critically on issues including his drug crackdown, which has left thousands of mostly poor drug suspects dead. Duterte has accused the network of not airing his paid campaign ads and favoring a rival candidate in the 2016 election, allegations the company denied.