The repercussions of the Duterte administration’s attacks against press freedom and the people’s right to know continue to be felt until today.

The Altermidya – People’s Alternative Media Network expresses solidarity with our colleagues at ABS-CBN news channel TeleRadyo, which will cease operations today, June 29.

It is, first of all, discouraging that the livelihood of around 70 employees are affected despite working for the network through all its uncertainties since 2020.

We acknowledge that ABS-CBN is valid to cite financial losses relating to the rejection of its application for a new franchise three years ago. At the same time, it is discouraging that those who must pay are media workers who have shown dedication since the network’s shutdown.

We echo our colleagues’ calls demanding that the ABS-CBN management ensure that the TeleRadyo staff are given commensurate benefits as well as assistance in looking for employment in and out of the network.

We likewise express hope that ABS-CBN News will keep practicing journalism with independence and integrity despite recent developments. Specifically, ABS-CBN executives have approved a joint venture deal with House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s Prime Media Holdings Incorporated, which has a congressional franchise.

The continuing political and economic implications of the ABS-CBN shutdown three years ago are glaring.

This upcoming shutdown of another credible news outfit in our age of information disorder is a defeat not only for the media industry. Ultimately, it is the Filipino public who will suffer from such a long-term loss.We thus recognize this sad development as another consequence of one of the biggest blows on press freedom in the Philippines. #