The state is continuously finding ways to weaken the journalists’ role as watchdogs.
Three years ago, President Rodrigo Duterte warned ABS-CBN, one of the leading Philippine broadcast networks, that he would block its franchise renewal for allegedly accepting payment for a campaign ad that failed to air before the May 2016 polls, and not giving back the money. Since then, the President has mentioned the same warning in several of his public speeches and interviews. He has also repeatedly denounced the media company for its supposedly “biased” reporting.
This situation is not unique to ABS-CBN. Other media organizations, such as Inquirer.net and Rappler, have also been discredited and intimidated by the state. In 2019, both outlets were threatened with libel complaints which stemmed from what Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo described as “malicious reports” claiming he endorsed the application for executive clemency of convicted rapist-killer Antonio Sanchez. Rappler said the libel threat was “a pure diversionary tactic” on Panelo’s part.
Last February 10, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a quo warranto petition with the Supreme Court to put an end to the media company’s “highly abusive practices.” According to Solicitor General Jose Calida, ABS-CBN is “unlawfully exercising their legislative franchises under Republic Act No. 7966 and Republic Act No. 8332.” Later that day, the network asserted in a statement that they complied with all the government’s regulations and that the OSG’s allegations were “without merit.”
Calida referred to RA 7966, an act granting the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation the franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain television and radio broadcasting stations in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, RA 8332 is an act granting multimedia telephony, incorporated, a franchise to construct, establish, operate and maintain radio paging systems in the Philippines which ABS-CBN is also a part of.
This is yet another attempt by the state to curtail one of democracy’s foundations — press freedom. The long-stead battle with regard to the license renewal of ABS-CBN does not only concern the media, but also the people.
Although ABS-CBN will be permitted to continue its operations until the potential termination of its franchise in March 2022, we must continue to be wary and discerning of the government’s efforts to stifle dissenting voices.
The freedoms of speech, information, and expression are primary and fundamental rights, which enable and protect all other democratic rights. Despite this, the state continues to be the main aggressor on attacks on the press.
The UP Journalism Club condemns all forms of attacks on the press and on the rights of the Filipino people. For democracy to thrive in a society, journalists must be able to perform their duty without fear of intimidation, harassment, and violence.
We call on the state to uphold its laws and policies in safeguarding the freedom of the press. We call on media organizations to stand in solidarity against media repression and all other attacks on the Fourth Estate. Lastly, we call on the Filipino people to stay ever vigilant and critical in protecting our democracy.
