#DefendPressFreedom: ABS-CBN Shut Down Ignites Solidarity of Filipinos
by Anne Marielle Eugenio, May 07, 2020 3:34am
Art by Dani Elevazo
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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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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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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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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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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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 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.
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