MANILA, Philippines — Broadcast giant ABS-CBN should not be afraid to report the news, even if it is critical of the government, as long as it is done fairly.
This was the message of Senator Grace Poe to the media giant on Wednesday as ABS-CBN’s fate remains in limbo as Congress has yet to tackle the renewal of its franchise, which is set to expire this March.
“Huwag kayong matakot. Sinabi na mismo ng Presidente, you report what you need to report,” Poe said in an interview on ABS CBN News Channel.
(You don’t need to be afraid. The President himself said that you just report what you need to report.)
“Sabihin niyo kung ano ang mali, huwag kayong matakot sabihin ang mali at huwag din naman kayo magtipid ng papuri kung may tamang ginawa,” she added.
(Report what is wrong. Don’t be afraid of reporting wrongdoings but don’t skimp on reporting good news, too.)
Last Monday, the Senate Committee on Public Services headed by Poe, conducted a hearing on the issues surrounding ABS CBN’s franchise following a quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General before the Supreme Court to cancel it.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1232491/senate-panel-opens-hearing-abs-cbn-franchise#ixzz6F1KPRJfw
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1232532/we-need-to-know-the-truth-poe-says-as-senate-hearing-on-abs-cbn-franchise-begins-2#ixzz6F1KaA6pF
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1226980/solgen-asks-sc-to-scrap-franchise-of-abs-cbn#ixzz6DhDS0jZI
Poe said hearing the issue at the Senate was “the right thing to do” as many are affected by the issue.
“Ginawa namin ito dahil ‘yun ang tamang dapat gawin. It’s the right thing to do, to hear it, dahil marami ang apektado dito sa issue na ito,” she said.
(We did it because it’s the right thing to do, to hear it because there are many people who are affected by this issue.)
Poe recognized that the ABS-CBN franchise issue could have “consequences” for the freedom of the press.
“Mayroong mga chilling effect. That is the start of the chipping away of our democracy,” she said.
(There is a chilling effect. That is the start of the chipping away of our democracy.)