Media giant ABS-CBN vowed to deliver fair poll coverage in the 2022 national elections.
ABS-CBN CEO and president Carlo Katigbak said during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting on July 29, Thursday, that providing poll coverage during elections is part of their public service.
“All of this is part of the public service we have committed ourselves to. We will provide a continuous and up-to-date national coverage of the elections in a manner that is complete, balanced, and fair,” he said.
In respect to this national election, he continued, the Network is issuing an updated set of policies on the ABS-CBN website that govern the Network, its talents, and its staff.
“We have taken extra measures to demonstrate that the Network will remain impartial throughout this political process.
“We will deliver the news that matters to you in a way that is fair and balanced, but also honest and brave,” Katigbak added.
The network failed to have its franchise renewal last year. Despite the challenges and limited resources, ABS-CBN is devoted to its plans for the next national elections.
Katigbak mentioned, “We have set aside resources for this–both our own and from those, who have agreed to partner with us.”
ABS-CBN former employees from its regional networks are listed to assist with the coverage. Its Bayan Patroller citizen journalists are also to provide citizen reports, Katigbak said.
ABS-CBN was deemed ‘biased’ during the 2010 and 2016 presidential elections.
The network drew flak after it failed to air President Rodrigo Duterte’s political ads worth P7 million. It put out a black propaganda-like funded by then-senator Antonio Trillanes IV in the 2016 elections instead.
Duterte’s allies, including SAGIP Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta and former House Speaker, claimed the Network practices political partisanship intended to protect their business interests.
ABS-CBN previously denied that the Network has political biases and favors to particular candidates.
