Leading Philippines broadcaster ordered to close

Activists described the move against ABS-CBN, which has been critical of President Duterte, as an attack on press freedom

Supporters of ABS-CBN, the country's top broadcast network, hold a rally against the Philippine government's move to scrap its franchises, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, February 10, 2020. ReutersShow less

The Philippines’ largest broadcaster ABS-CBN Corp has been ordered to cease its television and radio operations in what activists have described as an attack on independent media in the country.

The network, which has frequently been criticised by Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, received the order after its 25-year franchise expired on Monday. The company now has 10 days to explain why its frequencies shouldn’t be recalled.

“Millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news and entertainment when ABS-CBN is ordered to go off-air on TV and radio tonight when people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the Covid-19 pandemic,” ABS-CBN said in a statement.

More than 20 radio stations and 50 television and digital TV stations operated by ABS-CBN Corp are affected by the move, which can only be overturned by a court.

Ellen Tordesillas, president of investigative news platform Vera Files, said the order “is a blow to press freedom and democracy in the Philippines.”

"It sends a chilling effect to other media organisations. Just to get back at ABS-CBN for imagined faults, which were proven to be false during a Senate hearing, Duterte is willing to sacrifice the livelihood of 11,000 employees," she told The National.

Filipinos light candles in symbolic solidarity outside ABS-CBN network headquarters in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. EPA

Mr Duterte has repeatedly attacked the network for refusing to air his campaign advertisements during the 2016 elections. In February, he told the owners of the media conglomerate to sell the company, indicating that it was unlikely their license would be renewed.

At the time, Jose Calida, the Philippines solicitor-general, accused the network of “highly abusive practices” and called for its licence to be revoked.

Human Rights Watch called the cease and desist order a "serious blow to press freedom" in the Philippines, especially at a time when crucial information is vital during the pandemic.

"The Filipino people should reject this despotic move to harass and silence a media organisation known not only for its reach but also for its competence and dedication to deliver the news," Phil Robertson, HRW's Asia deputy director, said.

Media watchdogs and human rights campaigners have accused the Philippines administration of attempting to muzzle independent media reporting on issues including the President’s violent anti-drugs crackdown.

“It is truly abhorrent that this order comes in the middle of a public health crisis where the free press plays a crucial role in keeping the public informed on relevant, verified, and life-saving information about the Covid-19 pandemic”, local advocacy group Karapatan said.

“We call on all freedom-loving Filipinos to stand against the State's fascist attacks on press freedom and human rights.”

Mr Duterte frequently lashes out at the media and a number of prominent journalists, including the founding editor of Rappler, Maria Ressa, have faced legal cases in recent years.

Reporters Without Borders ranked the Philippines 136th out of 180 countries worldwide in its 2020 World Press Freedom Index. “After targeting the Daily Philippines Inquirer, the hot-headed president and his staff waged a grotesque judicial harassment campaign against the news website Rappler and its editor, Maria Ressa,” the report, published last month, said.

“The leading TV network, ABS-CBN, has also been the target of threats and intimidation by government agencies and institutions that support Duterte.”

It also cites Mr Duterte’s grim warning on entering office that, “just because you're a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination.”

The country has a poor record when it comes to protecting members of the press. From January 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility documented 61 reported incidents of threats and attacks against the press, including three journalists who were killed, according to a report published with the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.