ABS-CBN goes off-air

ABS-CBN via wikicommons

Hello friends!

Today, we’re taking a look at the ABS-CBN cease and desist order which has yanked the network from Filippine TV screens. 

Attacks on the media have been frighteningly common under the President Rodrigo Duterte leadership, but with the addition of the pandemic, it’s a new level of scary. The more obvious take is never before have we all needed trustworthy and timely use as we do now right now. AND holy heck, the Philippines has enough going on. 

There’s certainly more to come here so we’ll be keeping up to date. Monday will be the usual premium news wrap, which is starting to get chunky again after all other headlines were forced off the page by the pandemic. If you’d like to join us sign-up now:

Stay safe out there, everyone!Erin Cook 

ABS-CBN is a giant of the Filipino media, the country’s biggest network with a long history covering the country’s biggest stories for decades — including President Rodrigo Duterte’s rise and his war on drugs. The network became a target for Duterte and his stans alongside Rappler a few years back when he accused ABS-CBN of ‘swindling’ him back during the presidential election in 2016. The President said he’d paid for ad time but his ads were never aired nor were he paid back.

Now, it’s off the airways. 

Back and forth over the extension of its license has failed, with the permit formally expiring May 4 and a cease and desist was issued. The network says the National Telecommunications Commission has overreached its position in denying an extension, which it frequently does no worries. Now, the ABS-CBN is taking the fight to the Supreme Court.

"In this time of public health emergency, ABS-CBN plays a significant role in providing continued employment to thousands of employees and delivering valuable information and entertainment to millions of Filipinos locked down in their homes,” the network said in its petition to the Supreme Court. 

Both the Philippine Star and VICE Philippines have published super handy shortcuts in recent days. The PhilStar ‘cheat sheet’ is brilliant bringing together all of the paper’s coverage since the case first began while VICE answers your burning questions.

• Inside the newsroom

Jeff Canoy, a journalist and host on the network, live-tweeted the whole day. "Like all journalists, we couldn’t help but document what was happening around us. We were in the newsroom before ABS-CBN went off air. Strange how we were covering our own home," he tweeted. 

This piece brings together many of the tweets from Canoy, his coworkers and the network’s official account including a stunning snap of two journalists in face masks and tears and the caption: ‘we can’t even hug each other.’ 

• A show of support

Health workers from the Quirino Memorial Medical Center's intensive care unit took a moment from their tough work to show some support, donning safety garments in ABS-CBN’s colours. They’re joined by two beauty queens — Catriona Gray and Pia Wurtzbach. 

"By silencing voices we’re doing a disservice to our countrymen who need it most. At a time in our history when we should be remembered for how we all came together to serve each other. When we look back, what will be remembered instead?” Gray wrote on Facebook. Wurtzbach used Instagram to voice her support with an image of a woman with her hands clasped and mouth gagged, talking about her long history with the organisation.  

In the Senate, 13 senators have called on the NTC to reverse its decision. A coalition led by Risa Hontiveros has created a resolution which would compel NTC to reconsider, noting the body’s previous flexibility.