Philippines’ ABS-CBN closes regional stations that served remote communities for decades
- The closure of 53 regional TV and radio stations will deprive millions of Filipinos of their main source of local news and entertainment
- Hundreds of journalists lost their jobs as the broadcaster cut its operations after ad revenues were ravaged by the loss of its free-to-air licence
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The closure of 53 regional television and radio stations that broadcast in six languages will deprive millions of Filipinos of their main source of local news and entertainment.
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Philippines’ ABS-CBN closes regional stations that served remote communities for decades
“It’s painful,” de Guzman, 43, said last Friday after presenting the final TV Patrol North Luzon in a studio 240km (150 miles) from the capital Manila.
“You do your job responsibly, you do your share to change the life of ordinary people, then at the end of the day you lose your platform to do that.”
While he has denied any involvement in Congress’s decision to reject ABS-CBN’s application, he had previously pledged to block its licence renewal.
In the months since losing its free-to-air permit, ABS-CBN has kept showing many of its popular news and drama programmes on cable TV and online.
But much of the advertising revenue it used to rake in has been wiped out, forcing the broadcaster to dramatically cut costs.
“Unfortunately, (digital advertising revenue) is not at the same level as broadcast, so that’s where the challenge is nowadays,” said ABS-CBN news and current affairs boss Regina Reyes.
After the closure of the regional stations on Friday, more parts of the network will be closed on Monday and many of its stars are expected to move on.
Thousands of jobs – including staff and contractors – could be lost, ABS-CBN warned previously.
For many, it is their only source of news.
Fishermen in some regions have long relied on their local broadcaster to know if it was safe to go out to sea, said Reyes.
“Not everyone has access to the internet, to radio or newspapers,” said Micaella Ilao, a TV reporter in Baguio.
“Removing (TV broadcasters) deprives the people of the privilege to receive proper information.”
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines has described the closure of ABS-CBN’s regional stations as a “black day for independent media” in the country.
“It’s an avoidable national tragedy, inflicted by the very people who should protect Filipinos from all adversity,” it said.
ABS-CBN is allowed to file a fresh petition, but its success would require members of Congress, dominated by Duterte allies and whose terms expire in 2022, to change their minds.
For now, they are mourning the loss of their network.
“It’s not just a channel … it’s a relationship, a connection that has been lost,” said Stanley Palisada, who was head of the regional news group.
“You become the medium of preference for people, for the local community, to complain, to ask for help in reaching out to the government officials and (entities) who may have the solutions to their problems.”
