Order to stop ABS-CBN digital broadcast a warning to other news organizations —NUJP

Journalists and media practitioners in the country should not turn silent amid the recent moves to stop ABS-CBN's digital broadcast, saying this is a warning that the same fate could befall other news organizations, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said.

The statement of the journalists' group came in the heels of fresh orders from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to stop the network's digital broadcast on TVPlus in Metro Manila and SKY Cable's Direct Broadcast Satellite Service.

In a June 30, 2020 order, the NTC directed ABS-CBN to “immediately cease and desist from operating digital TV Transmission in Metro Manila using Channel 43," which it uses to broadcast ABS-CBN TV Plus programs.

According to the NUJP, the order "effecitvely deprives millions more Filipinos - an estimated 11 million homes according to ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak - of their right to know and to choose how to access their news, information and entertainment."

"It is clear that the end goal of this administration is not only to shut down ABS-CBN but to send a message throughout the media industry that other news organizations may face the same fate unless they surrender their watchdog role, the critical and independent reportage that is an essential part of the media's mission," NUJP said.

"This must not go unchallenged," it added.

The group called on leaders of the country's news organizations and the community of independent journalists to come together and press for the people's right to information.

"To our people, we urge you to raise your voices and let it be known that the Filipino will not stand idly by as they run roughshod over our rights and liberties," NUJP said. —LDF, GMA News