READ: Greenpeace statement on the ABS-CBN franchise rejection

Editor's note: We are publishing in full statements issued by various groups and institutions in support of ABS-CBN Corp., which went off the air on May 5, 2020, following a cease-and-desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission. The company's franchise expired on May 4, and bills for its franchise renewal were "killed" by the legislative franchises committee of the House of Representatives on July 10, 2020.

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On 10 July 2020, the Congress Committee on Legislative Franchises voted to reject a new broadcast franchise for ABS-CBN Corporation.

Lea Guerrero, Country Director, Greenpeace Philippines, said:

“Greenpeace laments the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise application. This decision by Congress has shut down a crucial source of information at a time when Filipinos are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. It has also left thousands of workers jobless during a major economic downturn.

“As an independent campaigning organization, Greenpeace believes that freedom of the press and free speech are essential in the work to enable solutions to environmental destruction. We therefore support a free press within a healthy democracy. A free press is a partner in enabling citizen participation and collective action in political discourse, including critically speaking out against harmful policies and practices, and proposing constructive solutions.

“Filipinos should now be more vigilant in defending rights enshrined in our nation’s Constitution. Within a healthy democracy, we will be able to establish better environmental and public health policies, and protect our communities and our planet.”