ABS CBN LOCKDOWN

“Sooner or later, every last echo fades. Even the loudest thunder in the deepest valley.”
- Brian K. Vaughan
After being ordered by the media regulator to stop operations, the Philippines'
leading broadcaster went off air. ABS-CBN announced that it would suspend operations
on Tuesday evening to comply with the National Telecommunications Commission's
order, and urged Congress, the lower house of parliament, to renew its franchise.
The reason for the whole controversy is due to the expiration of its
congressional franchise on 4 May, 2020 followed by a “cease and desist” order (CDO)
issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on 5 May, 2020.
Stunned and taken by surprise, Filipinos living in and out of the country have taken to
social media to express their views on the matter. The atmosphere on social media
platforms like Facebook and Twitter can be likened to a war zone. Netizens are divided
and at odds with each other with some defending ABS-CBN and others who want the
network to be shut down.
The House Committee on Legislative Franchises has even issued a "show
cause order" to NTC officials, ordering them to explain why they should not be punished
in contempt after the CDO against ABS-CBN was issued. While many people want
ABS-CBN to keep broadcasting and operating, others want the network shut down
because of the numerous alleged infractions it has committed.
ABS-CBN broadcasts have not actually stopped. They are still broadcasting
daily through live streaming via different social media platforms, cable TV, etc., starting
a day after the CDO from the NTC was issued. The only thing that was stopped was the
use of the government loaned broadcast frequency (Free TV) – not ABS-CBN’s
operations, ability, and capacity to broadcast. That’s the truth of the matter.
Elected government officials, as well as officials of public and private service
providers, must be accountable and transparent in the delivery of their functions, power,
authority, and business under "democratic accountability." If democracy is to thrive and
prosper in the Philippines, the government's political will is critical. The rule of law, like
responsible media and journalism, is one of the foundations of democracy.
While there is nothing wrong with ABS-CBN filing for a franchise, how it is done
is crucial. ABS-CBN should submit a franchise application in the same way that any
other law-abiding broadcasting firm would. Yes, Congress has the authority to issue
franchises, but it must do so in a manner that is fair, unbiased, objective, and
dispassionate, free of prejudice, and within the confines of the Constitution.