It is very evident that Maria Ressa is playing the victim card by talking about the non-renewal of the broadcast franchise of ABS-CBN after filing her “not guilty” plea before a local court.
We reiterate that the granting of the broadcasting franchise is the sole and exclusive prerogative of Congress; and we have maintained a neutral stance on the issue as part of our courtesy and respect to a separate co-equal branch of the government.
ABS-CBN, Rappler, and other news entities continue to report on the events happening in the country. A good case in point is the ABS-CBN News coverage of the “not guilty” plea of Maria Ressa, which can be read online. There is certainly no truth to Ms. Ressa’s allegation. The press can keep on reporting as long as there is no violation and has the right to continue its operations.