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Persuasive Essay about the franchise issue of ABS-CBN ...

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Bernardo, Jeanne Henriette L. FM2-3

EPR Sir. Joan Valenzuela

“Induce Justice to Injustice” Tubig at Langis, Ang Probinsyano, Make it with you, TV Patrol. Are you aware of the things aforementioned? How about this line, "Ako to si Natoy, na mahal na mahal ka?" If you are not aware of any of those, then I suggest you should start watching them now. The things mentioned was a few segments of the ABS-CBN, the leading broadcasting network in the Philippines and also known for its prime time flagship news program, TV Patrol, as well as soaps and afternoon variety TV shows. Contrary to its good reputation, the public antagonized when it was shut down last May 05 2020 by the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) . Anomalies they say is that, an issue on the franchise renewal is pendind in the Congress yet there was really no clear evidence why it must the renewal was pending. Thus, it will be argued that, the cease order of the operations of ABS-CBN is clearly unjust and unreasonable and must be put back as the network was essentially needed to serve the Filipino worldwide. The ABS-CBN franchise renewal controversy is an ongoing political dispute in the Philippines regarding the renewal of the congressional franchise that had allowed Philippine media network ABS-CBN broadcasting rights on Philippine television. Disputes between the government of President Rodrigo Duterte and ABS-CBN arose on the terms and conditions of the franchise renewal agreement. Amid the controversy, the Congress of the Philippines, the legislature of the Republic, was unable to renew the franchise before its expiration date. The congressional franchise expired on May 4, 2020, as the Philippines was dealing with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. On that day, exercising constitutional powers, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) then issued a cease-and-desist order demanding ABS-CBN immediately cease all broadcasting. ABS-CBN complied with the government order and signed-off its television channels later that day. Many allegations arised as to how unjustified and biased the governmebt is in handling this case. It is not hidden on the public that before the issue of franchise of ABS-CBN, there exist visible resentment of the current president to the network . It is alleged that the main reason for the pending of the renewal process was the result of a not good relationship with the current President of the Philippines and the said network. Last December, Mr. Duterte warned the Lopez family, the network’s billionaire owners, to sell the business because its franchise would not be renewed. “I will see to it that you are out,” Mr. Duterte personally said. Reasons were ABS-CBN reported critical issues about the anti-drug crackdown of Duterte which does brought him an unpleasant image on the public. Furthermore, the President seemingly holds a grudge against the issue of not airing his campaign ads way back 2016. The President also accused the network to be biased. However, if we are to observe properly, there is nothing wrong on reporting

such sensitive issue to the public. No matter who is involved, it is the people's right to know the truth. Also, observing the networks that broadcast in television, only the said network puts up an emphasized to this certain issue as they deemed that the acts of the president and the government towards the anti-drug enforcement was very alarming. Aside from the grudge of the president, the government itself is suspiciously very timid against this matter and public opinions concluded that the government officials were afraid to be on the bad side of the president or oppose the president. Apart from defending itself in Court, the network has barely seven weeks to win more allies in the Lower House before its franchise expires. Also, more people became the members of House of the representative of House Bill 676 yet they arent much likely to arrive at any progress. The House Speaker stated that the House was "too busy" with other matters. In addition to that, the commission backtracked on its pledge which they have agreed that the broadcaster could operate with a temporary license pending renewal of its franchise contrary to its earlier pronouncement that they will issue a provisional authority to operate to media giant ABS-CBN, the chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises. Furthermore, Palawan 1st District Rep. Franz Alvarez told DZMM if NTC’s move order for ABS-CBN to stop its broadcast operations could serve as a basis for contempt regarding the issue of "backtracked" quoted “Posible po. On record sila, under oath sila nung sinabi na sila ay magi-issue ng provisional authority kaya gusto nating malaman, anong nangyari at bakit sila biglang nagbacktrack?”Despite the fact that there is no definite reason why its opearation should ceased, no government agency is willing to take side of the network. Aside from the discrimination of the network as a result of resentment of the president, the government showing no progress on the due process of the franchise renewal, the issue itself in amidst of this pandemic is not helping the Filipinos currently. The order of shutdown of the network by the government created a negative impact on the public. Many employees of the network lose their job. The issue of press freedom arised and many journalist are protesting. Also, grounds of violations that lacks evidence keeps on spreading to the internet. The Lopez-owned network earlier denied accusations lodged on social media that it has not been paying its dues. ABS-CBN has secured a tax clearance certificate from the BIR for 2019. Representatives from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said the network has been compliant with regulations, contrary to allegations lodged against the media company. Also, As far as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is concerned, ABS-CBN has so far not committed any violations with regards to the constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership. Moreover, regarding the issue in employment, MANILA - Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said ABS-CBN Corp. is compliant with labor standards, and clarified reports on the number of people who work for ABS-CBN. Bello said ABS-CBN has settled its issues concerning violations on laboronly contracting. "We discovered some violations and we asked them to comply. We issued compliance orders. And in fairness, they complied," Bello said. Lastly, the shutdown order goes against public welfare most importantly when the country is at the amidst of pandemic and media is vital on everyone's safety. Millions of Filipinos will lose their source of news and entertainment , specially when people need crucial and timely

information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic. The network's free-to-all posts on their social media platforms is not enough as the their television broadcasting is much more effective and favored by most Filipinos regardless of age and status. Shawn Crispin, a Bangkok-based representative for the Committee to Protect Journalists said “If the president can shut down a media outfit as influential and powerful as ABS-CBN, then no independent media group is safe. The message is clear.” Unjust and unreasonable due process of law should not be influenced by a person or a group. The Law must be justifiable until the end. In times, people need crucial and timely information as the nation deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, media is the our spears and shield in this battle. Specifically, what we needed the most is the largest broadcasting network. And thus, ABS-CBN's franchise renewal should not be discriminated and be teated with bias. The network is apt to mistakes yet they tried their best to do their responsibility to our country. The principle they hold is their commitment to serving the Filipino worldwide that serves anytime and anywhere without hesitation even if it is not beneficial to a powerful individual. It is not a heinous crime to be loyal to the country and every people of it and not to the people who holds power on the country itself. Furthermore, despite the fact that the company was ordered to cease its broadcast, they still deliver news through their pages online just to bring information to the public. This alone is enough reason not to put an end on the network because there isnt many network who is determined to serve for the public welfare and to be able to handle the threats they faced in exchange of the information they deliver to our fellow Filipinos. If the people who needs to create the right justification for the good of our country does not bring justice, then let us be the judge ourselves and do something especially if we recognized what is right and what must be done. Let us encourage and bring justice to injustice in our country for the betterment of the well-being of our own motherland.

SOURCES: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippines-orders-itslargest-broadcaster-off-the-air-as-nation-fights-virus/2020/05/05/3d172b60-8eb4-11ea-9322a29e75effc93_story.html%3foutputType=amp https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/259757-how-covid-19pandemic-affecting-media https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/philippines-orders-leading-tv-network-to-shut-down/ https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/2/24/ABS-CBN-SEC-BIR-no-violations.html https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABS-CBN_franchise_renewal_controversy...