The Talents Association of GMA Network (TAG) expresses its grave concern over the fate of more than 11,000 regular and contractual workers of ABS-CBN, following the National Telecommunications Commission’s Cease and Desist Order, directing the media network to stop its broadcast operations.
During a Senate hearing in February, ABS-CBN Head of Corporate Services Group Mark Nepomuceno said the Kapamilya network has 5,918 directly hired employees while the remaining 5,153 include on-cam, talents, and project workers. Nepomuceno also noted that the company shutdown will affect not just ABS-CBN and DZMM shows but also The Filipino Channel, which is shown abroad.
(READ: [Opinion] ABS-CBN Shutdown, a Disservice to the Filipino)
In this time of a global pandemic, the role of media is more important than ever as the public seeks credible information that are very critical in saving lives. TAG denounces this untimely move by the NTC, as it deprives Filipinos of one more source of news. Every news that is not reported, every network that is not allowed to air, adds to the risk of more Filipinos dying from coronavirus because of the lack of information.
It must be noted that the same Congress that did not attend to ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is the same institution that promised better working conditions for media practitioners.
We call on lawmakers to do their jobs and act on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, and to pass measures that will safeguard the well-being of media workers, who are also frontliners in this time of pandemic.
(READ: [News] TAG’s Letter to Lawmakers)
We now call on our fellow Filipinos, other media groups and media workers to rally behind the Kapamilya workers who stand to lose their jobs in these trying times.
#NoToABSCBNShutdown #DefendPressFreedom
#BuhayMedia #LabanMedia #EndContractualization #NoToContractualization
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