By Lcid Crescent Fernandez
Two days after we celebrated World Press Freedom Day, a national press institution was told to cease and desist. It is publicly known that Congress has been ordered to do nothing on the application for the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. The President’s feelings and ego, it seems, have won over the Freedom of the Press and the rights of the public.
Daily Guardian, today, took up in defense of ABS-CBN in the name of that freedom. It may not be martial law (yet), but make no mistake; our freedoms are under attack. This goes beyond just the franchise expiring. Remember what they tried to do to Rappler? Remember how they banned the media from Malacañang press conferences during COVID? How long until they come for us next? We defend ABS-CBN because it defends our ability to criticize, to deliver news, to commentate, to speak.
Several people (again see: DDS) have commented and messaged that they are going to unlike/unfollow DG because of this defense.
Again, I have the same response, This is not an airport, no need to announce your departure. Go ahead and defend your idol/tatay/saint/God. Cling to these personas. We will continue to defend our principles.
We stand and will continue to stand for Press Freedom.
We will not be silenced.
We do this “in the service of the Filipino.”
#DGStandsForPressFreedom
#NOTOABSCBNSHUTDOWN
#MalayangPamamahayag
