Philippines: Top broadcaster shuts 53 stations after losing license, hundreds left jobless

At least 53 regional television and rio channels that used to brocast in six different langus in Philippines have been shut down depriving millions of citizens of primary source of both local news and entertainment. Hundreds of journalists have lost ir jobs including face of a popular news show in rrn Philippines for more than 10 years and a critique of Philippines President Rodrigo Dutrete, Dhobie de Guzman. 

Guzman’s position at brocasting giant of nation, ABS-CBN scrubbed following slashing of channel’s operations after ravaging of vertising revenues on losing free-to-air license in May. Several international media groups have united to condemn shut down of ABS-CBN that was founded in 1953 as an attack to freedom of press. Several watchdogs have also accused Philippines President and his entire ministration of meddling with independent journalism of country.

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Stations that h to slash ir operations including ABS-CBN have reportedly critically on issues such as Duterte’s anti-drug crackdown that has caused deaths of thousands of poor drug suspects. In past, Philippines President has publicly threatened to block network’s franchise renewal.

Even though Dutrete’s spokesperson claimed that Philippines President did t influence vote by lawmakers, House committee which mainly consists of his allies voted to shut channel down. Several groups, some of Dutrete’s allies and also opposition java called on legislators to allow network to continue its operations during COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Guzman called it 'painful'

After presenting his final report on August 28, Guzman even told an international media ncy that “it’s painful”. He said that irrespective of fact that he did his job ‘responsibly’ to change tone of lives of ordinary people, y ended up losing platform to do that. Congress has rejected application by ABS-CBN for a new 25-year franchise and a Supreme Court petition over issue was dismissed. However, channel resisted its closure and h continued to brocast news months after losing its free-to-air permit until vertising revenue wiped out. 

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(With inputs from ncies)

Im: AP