15 May, 2020

H.E. (Mr.) Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

50-N Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri 

New Delhi: 110021

Your Excellency Ambassador Ramon S. Bagatsing, Jr,

The National Union of Journalists(India) -NUJ(I) in short is an umbrella organisation of working journalists and is engaged for betterment and causes of journalists in the country since 1972. It has 24 State units covering almost all States of the India having more than 20000 members on its roll in India. It is recognised and affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels, Belgium. The NUJ(I), the largest trade union for the journalists in the country is disturbed by the recent decision of the Philippines’ Congress to delay the renewal of the franchise license of the country’s largest broadcasting network ABS-CBN, forcing the network to shutdown on May 5, 2020.

The network closure has led almost 11,000 people being put out of work at a key time when the provision of information about Covid-19 is a vital service to the Filipino community. In rural areas, ABS-CBN has been the only program available to many homes. President Duterte himself has thanked the network for its essential role during the pandemic.

We are concerned that ABS-CBN has been under constant attack by Duterte administration and fear that the shutdown is yet another attack on press freedom in your country. It is an attack on all Filipinos who rely on the network for news and information. The closure will also put additional financial strain on the families of ABS-CBN workers during the current lockdown.

We note that no satisfactory evidence has been presented for why the Congress has moved slowly to renew the ABS-CBN franchise. President Duterte has not only influenced the delays in the renewal process but has repeatedly threatened and censored the independent media network over the years. 

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) was set to grant provisional authority to ABS-CBN after May 4, while their application for extension was still pending approval from Congress. We are dismayed that Jose Calida, Solicitor General of the Duterte administration issued a warning against NTC, threatening to prosecute the commissioners if they approve the provisional authority.  These efforts to undermine the independent media and due process present a clear danger to media freedom and the public’s right to know.

We call on the Duterte Administration to act swiftly to ensure that Congress renews the network’s license and restore ABS-CBN to the air. To do otherwise would harm the Administration’s reputation during this global health crisis.

Yours sincerely,

Ras Bihari                                       (Prasanna Mohanty)

President                                       Secretary General