Baguio, Philippines: Guzman host Dhobie has been the face of a news program in the northern Philippines for more than a decade. Today, the closure of his regional station, and dozens of others across the country, left him out of work.
He is one of many bloodhounds to lose their jobs at ABS-CBN as the broadcasting giant, a critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, downsized its operations after advertising profits devastated by the loss of its loose license in May.
The closure of 53 regional radio and television stations broadcasting in six languages will deprive millions of Filipinos of their main source of local news and entertainment.
“It’s painful,” Guzman, 43, told the AFP last Friday after presenting the latest “TV Patrol North Luzon” in a studio 240 kilometers (150 miles) from the capital Manila.
“You do your homework in a responsible way, you do your component to replace people’s lives, and then, at the end of the day, you lose your platform to do that. “
Last month, Congress rejected ABS-CBN’s request for a new 25-year franchise and a petition to the Supreme Court about the rejected factor.
ABS-CBN, which belongs to the wealthy López family, has been broadcasting since 1953 between 1972 and 1986 when he was captured by dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whom Duterte admires.
Duterte has a history of clashes with the media criticizing his policies, and adds up his debatable war that has killed thousands of people.
Although he denied any involvement in Congress’ resolution to reject the ABS-CBN application, in the past he had pledged to block the renewal of his license.
In the months following the loss of its free streaming license, ABS-CBN continued to broadcast many of its news and drama systems over cable and online television.
But much of the advertising profits it used to make disappeared, forcing the broadcaster to particularly reduce its costs.
“Unfortunately, (digital advertising revenue) is not at the same point as broadcasting, so that’s where the challenge is today,” said Regina Reyes, ABS-CBN’s Director of News and News.
After the closure of the regional stations on Friday, other parts of the network will close on Monday and many of its stars are expected to relocate.
Thousands of jobs may be lost, with staff and subcontractors, ABS-CBN warned in the past.
For decades, ABS-CBN’s regional network has played a key role in dissecasting data on herbal disasters, such as typhoons and fitness crises, adding the coronavirus pandemic to remote communities with little or no Internet access.
For many, it is their source of information.
Fishermen in some spaces have long relied on their local station to see if he passed out to sea, Reyes said.
“Not everyone has access to the Internet, radio or newspapers,” said Micaella Ilao, a television journalist in Baguio.
“The withdrawal (of television stations) deprives others of the privilege of receiving adequate information”.
The Association of Foreign Correspondents of the Philippines closed the ABS-CBN regional stations a “black day for independent media” in the country.
“This is a preventable national tragedy, inflicted by those who protect Filipinos from adversity,” he said.
Abs-CBN may register a new petition, but its good luck would require members of Congress, governed through Duterte’s allies and whose terms expire in 2022, to replace their minds.
For now, they are in mourning for the loss of their network.
“It’s not just a ChainArray . . . it’s a relationship, a connection that’s been lost,” said Stanley Palisada, who led the regional press group.
“It is adapting in the way that people, the local community like, to complain, to ask for success in government officials and (entities) who may have answers to their problems. “
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