ABS-CBN shutdown –

Claim:

The shutdown of ABS CBN excludes an established source of credible information at a time when a
knowledgeable public is the first line of defense against the spread of COVID-19. Also. The shutdown of
ABS-CBN unnecessarily added to the ranks of the unemployed thousands of workers, where everyone
was having a hard time finding a stable job since many career opportunities had been closed because of
the risk and danger caused by the COVID-19.

Counterclaim:

People believe that the ABS-CBN network deserved it since the network didn’t acquire a franchise that is
granted by Congress through legislation. Also, they are biased when it comes to their news. In April
2017, the president said that he would block the franchise request, since ABS-CBN did not aired one of
his paid campaign advertisement for the 2016 elections.

Response to Counterclaim:

ABS-CBN shutdown leaves many people in the dark during the super typhoon. One of the major negative
impacts of the ABS-CBN shutdown is when Typhoon Ulysses hit the Cagayan Province. Their first and
major source of news is from the ABS-CBN broadcast. And because of the absence of news from the
network, they were not informed well about the upcoming typhoon, resulting in them not preparing for
the monstrous storm. Many lives were lost and infrastructures have been damaged severely. The
Filipinos deserve accurate and timely information about the efforts of the scientific community to help
to lessen the devastating impacts of the typhoon. With the possible help of the ABS-CBN network, those
people would have otherwise been easily reached with educational information and up-to-date news.
The government refused to give a piece of essential information to the people that could save their lives.
The ABS-CBN is not biased when it comes to their news. Other TV networks are maybe too afraid to
oppose Duterte's administration. Also, the president should act professionally and his personal reasons
should not be a motive to threaten the network’s shutdown. I admire the ABS-CBN network since they
are brave enough to inform the Filipino citizens with reliable facts and credible news.