A year after the Network shutdown, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak maintained ABS-CBN’s commitment–to be of service to every Filipino through its news department.
During the solitary night organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Katigbak shared a message,
“ABS-CBN is not our franchise. It’s not our transmitter, not our studios.
“ABS-CBN is found in the heart of every Kapamilya that chooses to serve the Filipino. ABS-CBN is you. For so long as the passion to serve burns brightly in you, ABSCBN will continue to be alive & well.”
Katigbak: ABSCBN is not our franchise. It's not our transmitter, not our studios. ABSCBN is found in the heart of every Kapamilya that chooses to serve the Filipino. ABSCBN is you. For so long as the passion to serve burns brightly in you, ABSCBN will continue to be alive & well.
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
He also reiterated the Network’s pledge to upholding not only fair and balanced news–and also being brave and courageous.
Katigbak: We pledge to uphold news that is fair, balanced and impartial, but news that is also honest, brave and courageous. #LabanKapamilya
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
Katigbak also shared a quote from former ABS-CBN head honcho Eugenio Lopez Jr. regarding how a network earns people’s trust.
“You will remember a network and respect it because of its news and current affairs programs. That is how you learn how to trust it.”
Katigbak: How timely that someone sent me this quote from Kapitan: You will remember a network and respect it because of its news and current affairs programs. That is how you learn how to trust it. #LabanKapamilya
— NUJP ABS-CBN Chapter (@NUJP_ABSCBN) May 5, 2021
For over a year now, ABS-CBN shut down its free TV operations, and one of the most affected departments–is the news department.
With the NTC’s cease-and-desist order and the subsequent franchise denial, ABS-CBN has to let go of its current affairs division.
Another casualty is its Regional Network group which was instrumental in bringing local news to different communities.
The network’s shutdown also folded its AM radio DZMM. It resulted in a significant loss of reach.
Currently, ABS-CBN’s news programs air over Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and iWantTFC.