I don't understand everything about what's going on with the ABS-CBN shutdown. But here are my personal views and observations.
1. No one should be laughing this off.
If this is indeed an issue of press freedom, then for the sake of our democracy, regardless of political persuasion, the shutdown should be opposed by everyone. Those who say otherwise may not fully comprehend the implications or are blinded by political loyalties.
2. The masses who are opposed to the shutdown are not talking about press freedom.
What most of them are complaining about is the loss of entertainment programs like Ang Probinsyano. It doesn't seem like an issue of press freedom for them but entertainment freedom. And I admit, ABS-CBN fares so much better than the rival network in terms of entertainment.
Ang pinanghihinayangan nila ay ang mga programa tulad ng Ang Probinsyano. "Ano na ang papanoorin namin sa GMA?" Try I-Witness, Born to be Wild, (Frontrow, IJuander, Byahe ni Drew salamat sa addition,
Sir Aaron Hadap), and other highly educational programs.
3. One reason for the shutdown is the opposition of the FICTAP.
Their issue is the alleged violation of the network for creating multiple channels or businesses that are not covered by their franchise. An example they say is the TV plus. The franchise covers free broadcast but the network is allegedly violating the right of cable companies who also lost income and jobs because of this alleged violation.
We talk about 11,000 who will lose their jobs but who would even talk about, or be aware of, the loss of income and jobs of small cable TV operators? If indeed true.
4. The loss of Regional Broadcasting.
ABS-CBN has produced regional agencies that have been serving the regions in their local languages. Local news and features have been delivered by this company to people who need and want them. Our region, the Bicol region, is one of those who benefit from such broadcasting. Now it's gone.
So how should we take this?
1. Oppose attacks against press freedom when there are such attacks. Stand with ABS-CBN.
2. Make government accountable for these attacks, if true. Make the government listen.
3. Make ABS-CBN accountable for alleged violations.
4. Keep educating the masses. They hold sway in elections and surveys. Don't just flood them with entertainment for the sake of profit and ratings. If TV stations prioritize educating over entertaining then they will truly be in the service of the country. If you can entertain while educating, then we will all win.
And when we say educate, I mean the whole range of education, those that go beyond our pet issues, advocacies, or agenda.
I think ABS-CBN shouldn't be shut down but will we even think about these issues if it wasn't?
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TV group opposes ABS-CBN's continued operations: Over a month after the National Telecommunications Commission agreed to allow media giant ABS-CBN to continue operations beyond the expiration of its franchise, a television group has aired its opposition to the order. -- CNN Philippines
3. One reason for the shutdown is the opposition of the FICTAP.
Their issue is the alleged violation of the network for creating multiple channels or businesses that are not covered by their franchise. An example they say is the TV plus. The franchise covers free broadcast but the network is allegedly violating the right of cable companies who also lost income and jobs because of this alleged violation.
We talk about 11,000 who will lose their jobs but who would even talk about, or be aware of, the loss of income and jobs of small cable TV operators? If indeed true.
4. The loss of Regional Broadcasting.
ABS-CBN has produced regional agencies that have been serving the regions in their local languages. Local news and features have been delivered by this company to people who need and want them. Our region, the Bicol region, is one of those who benefit from such broadcasting. Now it's gone.
So how should we take this?
1. Oppose attacks against press freedom when there are such attacks. Stand with ABS-CBN.
2. Make government accountable for these attacks, if true. Make the government listen.
3. Make ABS-CBN accountable for alleged violations.
4. Keep educating the masses. They hold sway in elections and surveys. Don't just flood them with entertainment for the sake of profit and ratings. If TV stations prioritize educating over entertaining then they will truly be in the service of the country. If you can entertain while educating, then we will all win.
And when we say educate, I mean the whole range of education, those that go beyond our pet issues, advocacies, or agenda.
I think ABS-CBN shouldn't be shut down but will we even think about these issues if it wasn't?
-------------------------
TV group opposes ABS-CBN's continued operations: Over a month after the National Telecommunications Commission agreed to allow media giant ABS-CBN to continue operations beyond the expiration of its franchise, a television group has aired its opposition to the order. -- CNN Philippines
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