[EAI Issue Briefing] Philippine Government Moves to Shut Down Biggest Television Network in the Country
2020-03-06
Knowledge-Net for a Better World
March 2020
EAI Issue Briefing
Philippine Government Moves to Shut Down
Biggest Television Network in the Country
Ian Jayson R. Hecita
Program Manager,
Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance (JMRIG) of De La Salle University
"The Struggle between President Duterte and Media Giant, ABS-CBN, over Freedom of Expression"
A major controversy has risen in the Philippines over President Rodrigo Duterte taking control of the media as he seeks to terminate the franchise license of the country’s leading broadcaster, ABS-CBN. Since his inauguration in mid-2016, Duterte has openly criticized the media organization for not airing his advertisements during the presidential campaign and for highlighting his administration’s human rights abuses during the Philippine Drug War. President Duterte also advocated the liquidation of ABS-CBN, which is similar to the buyout of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) back in 2017. Ian Jayson R. Hecita, the Program Manager of the Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance (JMRIG) of De La Salle University, thoroughly depicts the ongoing dispute between Mr. Duterte and ABS-CBN Corporation surrounding the franchise renewal, political bias, and civil liberty. In doing so, he argues that the Filipinos must be guaranteed their right to the freedom of expression.
