In the service of the Filipino

The darkest times come like a thief in the night.

For the Philippine media, it came only two days after World Press Freedom Day and about the same time when many journalists across the globe popped the champagne bottles for winning this year’s Pulitzer awards for their brave and good journalism.

Worse, it came in the middle of a pandemic when effective communication of live-saving information is of utmost importance.

We all know what happened on Tuesday night. The Lopez-owned ABS-CBN broadcasting giant had to sign off because the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order on the network.

This is clearly a blow to press freedom. President Duterte’s flock will believe otherwise, of course, because they support whatever this administration does.

But it is what it is. To disallow a media entity from airing or publishing is simply a curtailment of the freedom of the press. It is also a mockery of even the kind of weak democracy that we have.

It is a deep, profound pain inflicted on every hardworking and serious, yet gravely underpaid journalist in this country, to every media worker and, yes, to each and every Filipino in dire need of information amid the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic.

It is a grave insult to every journalist who came before us and fought for press freedom, and to our forefathers who fought for the bigger freedom this country is supposed to be enjoying now.

Legal grounds

Now, let’s talk legal. NTC’s handling of ABS-CBN’s case shows a major flaw in the whole procedure surrounding it. The NTC, even by its own admission, has committed under oath before lawmakers to grant the network a provisional franchise until Congress settles the issues surrounding the broadcast giant’s franchise renewal.

And yet, the NTC chose the path long pushed by this administration despite the Department of Justice’s advice, precedents and prevailing practice, and Congress’ instructions.

The NTC’s cease and desist order is clearly a betrayal of duty. It’s not to say that Congress is absolved of its responsibilities.

The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) is correct in saying that Congress’ inaction on several bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise is also to blame for what happened.

Members of the House of Representatives refused to hear the applications for the franchise renewal.

At least 11 bills were pending at the House but the concerned panel set only one hearing before the franchise expired.

Perhaps the NTC’s actions show us what this administration’s priorities are.

Even as the country grapples with a health catastrophe, the NTC has chosen to do the more inhumane act of cutting a major source of information in these trying times.

It has chosen to bow to pressure after the solicitor general warned against granting ABS-CBN a provisional authority, saying that only Congress can issue the franchise.

The solicitor general’s warning, issued the day before ABS-CBN’s franchise expired, was a straightforward rebuff of the justice secretary’s position and even came with a threat of graft charges for the NTC officials.

This is the same solicitor general who filed with the Supreme Court a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN barely three months before the network’s legislative franchise expired.

Clearly, some of this government’s legal minds have become experts in weaponizing the law especially to advance the interest of this administration.

Tell me, is this in the service of the Filipino?

Dead air?

And so it happened. At 7:52 p.m. on Tuesday night, the broadcast giant signed off, ceasing the operations of its radio stations and 42 TV stations in compliance with the NTC order issued after ABS-CBN’s franchise expired on May 4.

The last time ABS-CBN was forced to shut down was on Sept. 21, 1972 after the declaration of Martial Law. It sure feels like we’re back in the dark ages.

Now, when you open your television sets, go to Channel 2. There is nothing but dead air, an unsettling noise that reminds us of the lengths this administration would go to just to get what it wants.

May we never forget what happened. Outside ABS-CBN’s office along Mother Ignacia right before it stopped airing, journalists lit candles. These aren’t candles for mourning, but fire to keep the lights on in these dark times.

It is an act of protest and this is what every administration keeps on forgetting – that for every attempt to silence the press, journalists will fight back with even more fervor, strength and determination.

I’ve never been more proud to be a journalist than I am today. Let’s keep on fighting the good fight. I  stand with my fellow journalists in keeping the flames of journalism alive in our beloved country today. It’s the reason why even in the darkest of times, there is a light that never fades.

Iris Gonzales’ email address is [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at eyesgonzales.com