With ABS-CBN off the air, Filipinos lose a way of life, sociologist saysMANILA, Philippines — When Typhoon Ambo battered Aurora Province in mid-May, a cop manning a checkpoint posed this question to ABS-CBN news reporter Jeff Canoy: "Babalik na ba kayo sir?" By then, ABS-CBN’s 43 channels, including flagship and free Channel 2, had been ordered off the air for ten days. "In the guise of ending oligarchy, Congress, by not renewing the ABS-CBN franchise, only created a new monopoly in the TV industry. What made one marginalized is measured through access to TV and ownership of the TV sets' brand," the sociologist said. Aguja said, it was through these outreach programs, coupled with the content it produces, that ABS-CBN made a mark on Filipino families.

Source: Philippine Star July 24, 2020 01:01 UTC