ABS-CBN’s shutdown tonight triggers waves of effects, especially as the country confronts the dangers of a pandemic.

At this point, we cannot stress enough how access to credible information is crucial in addressing the spread of Covid-19. With the station off the air, we lose another voice that people rely on for critical information on how to protect themselves and their loved ones from the ill-effects of the virus.

But with jobs affected due to their closure, the decision of the National Telecommunications Commission also aggravates the struggle for a source of living already experienced by the rest of the nation that came with lockdowns and quarantines. It is ironic that days after we commemorated Labour Day on May 1, workers of ABS-CBN now face the uncertainty of having no means to support themselves, their families, and even fellow Filipinos in this dire time.

On World Press Freedom Day, May 3, we also remembered how the press guards the truth, even all other freedoms we enjoy today. The information that media delivers to us every day allows every citizen to make critical decisions on their lives and enables them to demand better services, especially from the government.

The Commission on Human Rights is deeply concerned with this decision knowing how this move sends a chilling effect on free media and impacts negatively on freedom of expression.

We echo our call that political whims should not dictate the fate of ABS-CBN, or any media network, that continues to be an important facet of our democracy. Any alleged violations should be dealt with in accordance with the law, and the same protection granted by laws should equally apply to ABS-CBN as it should be to anyone or any entity. We must continue to be vigilant. ###