NUJP presses Congress: Be independent, renew ABS-CBN franchise

MANILA, Philippines — The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Friday urged Congress to uphold its independence and renew the franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN Corp.

“Do not allow one man’s vindictiveness displace thousands of workers, including journalists and artists, and spell the end for freedom of the press and of expression,” NUJP said in a statement.

The group of media practitioners warned that between 10,000 to 11,000 employees, who depend on the Philippines’ largest television network and its subsidiaries, would immediately lose their jobs or indirectly be dislocated once its franchise expires on March 30, 2020.

Last Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte unleashed fresh tirades against the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, which he had accused of being unfair to him during the 2016 national election campaign.

READ: I’ll see to it that you’re out, President tells ABS-CBN

Several bills extending the 25-year franchise of the network have been filed in the House of Representatives but have yet to be acted upon by the committee on legislative franchises.

Committee chair Franz Alvarez and Speaker Alan Cayetano both confirmed that the chamber would no longer tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise this year. The franchise should be approved in the Lower House before the Senate can consider it.

READ: Cayetano: We have enough time to tackle ABS-CBN franchise next year

Edited by KGA