ABS-CBN went off the air Tuesday night, May 5, in compliance with the cease-and-desist order of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), a day after the network’s 25-year franchise expired. The NTC reneged on a commitment it made to the House of Representatives that it would grant a provisional license to the broadcasting network.
The shutdown caused an uproar across the country, with people taking to social media to express their outrage. Schools, student publications and organizations have issued statements, condemning NTC’s order and declaring solidarity with the media giant.
Excerpts:
May 5, 2020 goes down in history as a day of treachery.
In the middle of a pandemic, broadcast industry regulators succumbed to pressure from an “alter ego” of President Rodrigo Duterte and ordered ABS-CBN, the country’s largest media network, to go off the air.
Duterte has declared war on the free press and this is his Pearl Harbor attack…
Now that ABS-CBN is out of the airwaves, and for the second time since martial law, there is no more denying that the Duterte regime will stop at nothing—even amid a national emergency and a crippling lockdown—to crush dissent and stifle a free and independent media. Shutting down media is the work of dictators.–Journalism educators from the University of Santo Tomas
We, the Ateneo de Manila University, see in the forced shutdown of ABS-CBN, shades of martial law almost 50 years ago, when the airwaves went silent as the dictatorship sought to quell the free exchange of news, information and commentary.–Ateneo De Manila University
In an apparent bid to outrun Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the COVID-19 Powergrab Olympics, the National Telecommunications Commission has decided to shutter ABS-CBN the moment its legislative franchise expired, running in contravention to previous guarantees and a May 1994 memorandum of understanding with the House of Representatives and the KBP that stated otherwise.–The New Builder official publication of Mapua Institute of Technology
Media, as the fourth estate, has the right to voice out political concerns and critical information that the public must be aware of…The silencing of ABS-CBN’s broadcast can be seen as a direct attack on their freedom as the press—ironically being dealt two days after the celebration of World Press Freedom Day.–Crescit,official student publication of De La Salle Lipa Senior High School
The Ateneo Assembly strongly condemns this blatant and politically motivated move by the NTC. Not only did the shameful act deprive the Filipino people of their right to be properly informed but also thousands of workers of their jobs and livelihoods…The duty of a franchise renewal has rested in the hands of the 18th Congress for the past months but was deliberately delayed and sidelined by allies of the current administration.–The Ateneo Assembly
The order, which came a day after the network’s 25-year-franchise expired, was issued despite the fact that last March 16, the same commission stated that franchises expiring while the community quarantine over Luzon is in effect are extended until 60 days after the quarantine is lifted…
This order could not have come at a more detrimental time. The broadcasting network employs more than 11,000 employees, and its operations have pooled funding for relief programs through its channels, aiding those heavily affected by the pandemic. Moreover, the network has been a major source of key information and news on the COVID-19 pandemic.–De La Salle University Student Media Council
The order not only hinders our right to press freedom but puts thousands of ABS-CBN workers’ employment in harm’s way… In this global pandemic, the administration must aim to protect the nation’s health, and not their self-vested interests.–UP Alliance of Development Communication Students
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas laments the order to stop ABS-CBN from continuing its broadcast operations, as it is a clear disservice to the Filipino people in this time of the pandemic, when information, delivered fast and wide, is key to saving lives.–University of Santo Tomas
We cannot stand silent in the face of an Order that shut down a network in the middle of a public health crisis…In the same light, we decry the House of Representatives’ inaction that eventually led NTC toward issuing the Order.–University of San Carlos School of Law
As we continue to battle this health crisis, we need a free press to serve as a faithful chronicler of events, a platform for the diversity of voices to be heard, and, more importantly, the public’s watchdog of inept, abusive and corrupt governance.–University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication
An attack on one is an attack on all… Pulling the plug on the network’s operations is a glaring attempt to weaponize the law to stifle free speech and democratic dissent… When media is attacked, society as a whole pays the price.–Polytechnic University of the Philippines-College of Communications Alumni
At an extraordinary time of global pandemics, erupting volcanoes and fake news coupled with a government whose position is to be deciphered from misunderstood veils of hideous jokes, misogynistic and incoherent pronouncements established on a policy of “build, build, build” yet whose scaffoldings perilously rise on an incongruous battle cry of “kill, kill, kill,” the Sovereign Filipino People, more than ever, need to demand a respect for fundamental human and constitutional rights.–Communication Department, St. Scholastica’s College-Manila
This is just the start of a battle, especially against fake news, corrupt politicians, and a government that refuses to swallow its pride, even if it means removing one of its functional limbs…The press will continue to bring every detail into the light, even if it means walking through darkness.--Lumiere, official student publication of the senior high school level of St. Bridget College
Independence, integrity and social responsibility are that CHSM hopes to instill in its students. It is, therefore, with sincerity and conviction that CHSM declares its unstinting support of ABS-CBN towards the renewal of its franchise.–College of the Holy Spirit Manila
A national government that acts with impunity does not serve the people’s interests; instead, it serves its own.–Ateneo De Manila Senior High School Sanggunian
As members of the campus press, we believe that in its truest form, journalism is not just a profession, rather, a commitment to serve the best interest of the citizens.–The Scholastican, official college student publication of St. Scholastica’s College Manila
We shall never allow anyone—not even the highest authority—to treat us as slaves in our very own land. We shall never be silenced.–The Naguenian, the official school publication of Naga City Science High School
The Animo refuses to wait for the total death of press freedom and democracy before speaking up against these attacks. As young servants of the truth, we firmly stand with the thousands of media workers and journalists, along with every Filipino who deserves access to information, in this fight against ABS-CBN shutdown.–The Animo, the official student publication of DLSU-IS Manila
This brazen attack sets a precedent not only in restricting the right to free speech and expression but also in jeopardizing the livelihood of employees…There should be no aggressive suppression of the voices of democracy. –Supreme Student Government, Pasay City National Science High School
On top of all the important issues worthy of more focus, this government chooses to invest their time and effort to shut down ABS-CBN. This is a propaganda which seeks to divert our attention away from the incompetence that our government has been displaying for the past two months. This is not the time to indulge in petty politics. This is the time when politicians need to start acting like the public officials they promised us they’d be when they ran for office and asked for our votes.–Student Power Party, University of San Carlos
Our physicians have been in the front line of the battle against COVID-19…On another front are the brave women and men of the press, who are fighting the battle for truth. In a time when fake news is as destructive as a disease, the role of a journalist is as essential as the role of a physician… Physician or journalist, we are all fighting in the service of the Filipino.–West Visayas State University-College of Medicine Student Council
