Congress axe falls on ABS-CBN (Part 3)
A questionable media group that columnist Rigoberto Tiglao describes as a bogus organization of “journalists,” the National
Union of Journalists of the Philippines, issued the following statement: “Today, not only have more than 11,000 people been stripped of their jobs, millions of Filipinos have been deprived of their right to know and their right to choose how to access the information they need to decide on their futures as well as the entertainment that allows them a respite from the hardships of life.”
In the first place the 11,000 employees of the network being touted as losing their jobs is questionable. The DoLE’s record states the network has only less than 5,000 employees. If the figure 11,000 is correct then the 6,000 or so employees could be part of the complaining employees who have not been regularized by ABS-CBN in violation of labor laws. It was one of the reasons given by the legislative committee in not granting the franchise applied for.
Assuming 11,000 is correct, the claim that they will all lose their jobs is absolutely false. The news programs and entertainment shows of ABS-CBN continue to be aired in other channels and platforms, which are sister companies of the network. Since these shows are still very much in the airwaves, it means the technicians, talents, performers, the anchors and the reporters are still performing their respective jobs.
Necessarily, they remain employed. Those who may lose their jobs can always find work in other networks which we understand have vacancies to be filled up. Contrary to the claim of NUJP, millions have not been deprived of access to information, news and entertainment, because despite the closure of ABS-CBN, those programs remain accessible to the viewers in other platforms owned by the network. Moreover, there are several television channels providing news and entertainment to choose from. ABS-CBN is only one network.
The UST Department of Communication and Media Studies couldn’t stop itself from perorating a non sequitur: “This is the second time for ABS-CBN to be shut down by enemies of freedom. After a hiatus imposed by Martial Law, it roared back to life after the 1986 People Power revolt and the restoration of democracy.”
Misleading! ABS-CBN was not shut down. Its franchise expired. Its new application for another franchise was denied by Congress. One cannot shut down an expired license. Martial Law during the time of Marcos shut it down. It had an existing franchise when it was ordered closed. There is a whale of difference between then and now.
The Malacañang Press
Corps added another statement against the non-renewal: “This is a warning to the press: Do not offend the powers that be. One less watchdog is one step towards tyranny.”
The non-grant of the franchise is not a warning to the press to stop its exercise of the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press. Rather it is a warning to franchise holders that they have no vested right to the privilege granted them. If they violate the Constitution and the laws, such privilege shall be taken away from them. ABS-CBN is not the only watchdog. This country abounds with watchdogs, apart from the constitutionally mandated offices, that the loss of a private one which is its own making, will not diminish the exercise of the freedom of the press and of speech. Contrary to the claim that it is one step towards tyranny, it is in fact a further step towards the faithful observance of the rule of law.
On the other hand, the UP College of Mass Communication echoed a similar untruthful assertion: “Given that ABS-CBN had the widest broadcast reach, Filipinos in far flung areas will be deprived of timely and useful information regarding the pandemic and calamity alerts.” It is not true that ABSCBN had the widest reach. Another network has that distinction. Even assuming that the Lopez-owned network had the widest reach, the viewers of the latter have other alternative networks. ABS-CBN does not have the monopoly of broadcasting. There are many to choose from. These various telecommunication platforms deliver “timely
“Since these shows are still very much in the airwaves, it means the technicians, talents, performers, the anchors and reporters are still performing their respective jobs. Necessarily, they remain employed.
and useful information regarding the pandemic and calamity alerts.”
Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, one of those who spearheaded the defense of the network, who turns out to be an ineffective communicator by reason of his biased as well illogical argumentation apart from wanting in eloquence, pushes a partisan and presumptuous assertion: “The decision has no basis. I’m just very saddened because I would have been able to vote if this was brought to the plenary.” The decision has no basis? Really, Congressman Rufus? No basis because it has not adopted your position favoring the network? The verdict on the franchise application should speak for itself. Res ipsa loquitor. He says he is saddened that the subject was not brought to the plenary because he could have voted. As if his vote would matter and reverse the ruling. Such pomposity. His haughty presentation of his biased defense for the franchise grant may even have riled up his voting colleagues which contributed to its defeat in the congressional committee.
A group calling itself Karapatan makes a fallacious conclusion on the network’s failing to secure a franchise: “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 rapidly 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.” Such a false and incongruous narrative. Press freedom has nothing to do with it. It simply is a denial of a privilege of operating a network by reason of the applicant’s violation of the terms of its previous franchise apropos the Constitution and the laws of the land. The unbreakable political will of PRRD is mistaken as fascist. The President is constitutionally elected by an overwhelming vote. His trust and approval stratospheric rating remains unchanged. The voice of the opposition and the critics is in wild abandon, showing a robust democracy. The passing of the Anti-Terrorism Act is precisely for the protection of the people and solely against the terrorists and their supporters.
A consistent Duterte critic, Randy David offers a flawed theory: “I guess the quick answer to the first of these charges is that if ABS-CBN were truly as powerful as it is reputed to be — to the point that it can actually determine the fate of the nation’s top politicians — President Duterte would probably not be president today, or in any position to threaten the company with a total shutdown.”
The entry of the feisty former Mayor of Davao City in the 2016 presidential elections commenced the end of the stranglehold by the network on the country’s political landscape.
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The entry of the feisty former Mayor of Davao City in the 2016 presidential elections commenced the end of the stranglehold by the network on the country’s political landscape.
(To be continued)