THE UNIVERSITY on Saturday threw support anew to shuttered media giant ABS-CBN after a House panel denied its bid for a broadcast franchise.
“We believe that ABS-CBN deserves to be given another chance to renew its franchise to continue its invaluable service to the nation and the Filipino people,” UST said in the statement posted on the University’s social media accounts.
The University said the Lopez-led TV network competently provided information and public service, which are of “paramount importance” during a pandemic.
“We sympathize with the network’s thousands of employees who stand to lose their jobs and whose families will be deeply affected by this sad turn of events,” the statement read.
UST has shown consistent support for the media giant since the Office of the Solicitor General petitioned to shut down its operations in February. The Supreme Court later junked the quo warranto petition.
(READ: https://varsitarian.net/news/20200506/ust-expresses-support-for-abs-cbn-after-shutdown)
On May 6, UST lamented the government’s order to close the media giant and said it was a “disservice” to the country to deprive the people of access to information amid a pandemic.
The House legislative franchises committee on July 10 rejected ABS-CBN’s application for a new franchise, in a widely condemned vote after conducting a dozen public hearings.
Seventy of 85 panel members and ex-officio members voted against granting the franchise. Eleven voted in favor, two inhibited and one abstained.
