COVID-19 is not the only crisis we have to face. With the shut down of the largest broadcasting company in the Philippines, press freedom is also one of the problems at hand. The National Telecommunications Commission declared the network’s license expired as the Congress refused to renew its license to operate.

This phenomenon caused citizens and organizations to express their support to ABS-CBN in the way they can. This expression of solidarity can be seen on social media.

The St. La Salle Hall in ABS-CBN’s colors

To support the company and the millions of people who depend on it for livelihood and information, the De La Salle University in Manila lights up its St. La Salle Hall in red, blue, and green. This is to appeal to NTC to grant provisional authority so it can continue its operation.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by De La Salle University (@dlsu) on May 5, 2020 at 6:22am PDT

Benildean Press Corps’ condemnation of ABS-CBN’s shutdown

Student publication Benildean Press Corps calls for the immediate franchise renewal. Together with their message to the government, they posted a candle with a little flame, glowing with the broadcasting network’s three colors. May this spark hope to millions of Filipinos.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by The Benildean (@thebenildean) on May 5, 2020 at 4:58am PDT

The Sadvertising Life’s tribute to the creatives

In a heartbreaking artwork, Sadvertising Life showed the “Saan aabot ang 20 pesos” mo commercial when it was first aired on ABS-CBN. It was a great triumph for the creatives, but now they’ve been also robbed out of another platform to show their works.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sadvertising (@sadvertisinglife) on May 5, 2020 at 6:30am PDT

The ABS-CBN ‘care reaction’

As the care reaction on facebook starts to trend, it was also used to express the support to #MalayangPamamahayag. It shows an emoji hugging the ABS-CBN logo.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Elisse Joson (@elissejosonn) on May 5, 2020 at 4:59am PDT

Ateneo Blue Repertory’s change of logo colors

This musical theater organization is also against the shutdown of ABS-CBN in a time of pandemic. As a sign of solidarity, they colored their logo in blue, green, and red.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ateneo blueREP (@ateneobluerepertory) on May 5, 2020 at 10:08pm PDT

Kris Aquino’s throwback shows

Kris Aquino hasn’t been in the Kapamilya network for some time now, but she acknowledges it has given her opportunities. She posted a video showing her shows on ABS-CBN, including the iconic game show Game KNB.

part 1 of 2. pic.twitter.com/xTZjx0E6pN

— Kris Aquino (@krisaquino214) March 2, 2020

Angel Locsin’s #LabanABSCBN post

As an artist of ABS-CBN, Angel Locsin offers a tight hug to ABS-CBN employees (virtually of course). She urged people to remember May 5 and encouraged the fight is not yet over. She does so by posting an ABS-CBN logo with a fist in the middle.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Angel Locsin (@therealangellocsin) on May 5, 2020 at 7:24am PDT

A company that delivers news was forced to close down and the Commission on Human Rights fears this might result in the “chilling effect” of the media. The shutdown of ABS-CBN impacts negatively on the freedom of expression and deprives people of information when they need it the most--when we are under a pandemic. But the truth can’t be silenced, no not forever.