Manila: The Philippines’ telecommunications regulatory body has awarded the broadcast frequencies previously held by the country’s former top broadcasting company to firms owned by allies of President Rodrigo Duterte.
ABS-CBN, which was often attacked by Duterte for alleged biased reporting, was shut down in May 2020 after Congress did not extend its broadcast franchise. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) confirmed on Wednesday that the former ABS-CBN channels were awarded to Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc, Swara Sug Media Corp and Aliw Broadcasting Corp.
Advanced Media, which is owned by former senator Manny Villar, a political supporter of Duterte, was given provisional authority to install, operate and maintain two television channels until 2023. (dpa)
Another channel was assigned to Swara Sug, also known as Sonshine Media Network International, which is owned by Apollo Quiboloy, a pastor who is a close friend of Duterte.
Press freedom groups expressed concern over the transfer of the frequencies to other companies, especially those with links to Duterte.
"We are concerned over the concentration of power in a corporate media landscape already dominated by conglomerates and political clans,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said in a statement on Wednesday.
"This has dire implications on the people’s right to relevant information especially during times of crisis,” it added.
Since ABS-CBN was forced to shut down its free television and radio station in May 2020, some shows have been airing online and on cable television. It has also been airing some shows on another channel run by a different network.
ABS-CBN, which was often attacked by Duterte for alleged biased reporting, was shut down in May 2020 after Congress did not extend its broadcast franchise. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) confirmed on Wednesday that the former ABS-CBN channels were awarded to Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc, Swara Sug Media Corp and Aliw Broadcasting Corp.
Advanced Media, which is owned by former senator Manny Villar, a political supporter of Duterte, was given provisional authority to install, operate and maintain two television channels until 2023. (dpa)
Another channel was assigned to Swara Sug, also known as Sonshine Media Network International, which is owned by Apollo Quiboloy, a pastor who is a close friend of Duterte.
Press freedom groups expressed concern over the transfer of the frequencies to other companies, especially those with links to Duterte.
"We are concerned over the concentration of power in a corporate media landscape already dominated by conglomerates and political clans,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said in a statement on Wednesday.
"This has dire implications on the people’s right to relevant information especially during times of crisis,” it added.
Since ABS-CBN was forced to shut down its free television and radio station in May 2020, some shows have been airing online and on cable television. It has also been airing some shows on another channel run by a different network.