Malacañang said on Wednesday that Filipinos can turn to other media networks as their source of information amidst fears that the sudden closure of media giant ABS-CBN might affect the information dissemination to help defeat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat in the country.
ABS-CBN signed off, for the second time in history, on Tuesday night following the cease and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) after the network’s legislative franchise expired on May 4.
The NTC order however does not cover the network’s news cable channel, ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), which continues to operate.
“Siyempre po, nalulungkot din kami dahil nabawasan iyong mga magki-carry ng Laging Handa at magki-carry ng Presidential Press Briefing natin, at magbibigay ng balita sa ating mga kababayan,” according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.
He added that other broadcast companies can fill the role left by the closure of ABS-CBN in disseminating news and information to the public.
“Pero inaasahan po namin na ang PTV-4, ang GMA, ang CNN, ang ABC-5 eh hindi naman po magkukulang sa kanilang tungkulin at pupunuan po kung anuman ang dapat punuan dito sa pangangailangan na mag-disseminate ng information,” he explained.
Social media was flooded by outcries from several media groups, other organizations, and public figures criticizing the immediate closure order, saying that press freedom is being threatened and the government has deprived Filipinos of a major source of information amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
The Palace also said that ABS-CBN can ask the courts to reverse the decision of the NTC and allow the network to resume its operations. (RJ Espartinez)