The Return of the Randomized Agenda podcast!
Hello! It's been a while. I'm looking to start up the Randomized Agenda podcast again. I recorded a short trailer for now. More to come soon!
A random journal by Rands.
Hello! It's been a while. I'm looking to start up the Randomized Agenda podcast again. I recorded a short trailer for now. More to come soon!
(Originally posted as a Twitter thread)
Allow me to place my two cents on why the ABS-CBN shutdown is a press freedom issue as opposed to what some are saying.
It wouldn't be a press freedom issue at all if it's JUST because the franchise expired. If we look at the bigger picture, ABS-CBN, along with Inquirer and Rappler, has always been the target of Duterte and his supporters because they feel their reporting is unfair and biased.
Just recently, a Rappler reporter was removed from the NCRPO Press Corps Viber group for reporting Gen. Sinas' birthday celebration that seemed to violate ECQ guidelines. Doesn't that constitute limiting press freedom?
No franchise means no broadcast, yes, but also look at the context. Congress couldn't work on the renewal before since Duterte has always said no since 2016. ABS-CBN also had to deal with FICTAP back in 2014 which has already been addressed.
The point here is that, while they can still operate “freely”, journalists now fear of consequences if your report is against the government. Even with credible sources and evidence, DDS will spin it as unfair and biased.
So, while no one should be above the law. We're also seeing the law being bent in favor of Duterte and his supporters. It is the law but the law should be applied equally and for the benefit and protection of everyone.
(Originally posted on Facebook on May 5, 2020 — the day ABS-CBN went off the air after NTC issued a cease and desist order)
Tonight, we just witnessed a major attack on the free press as ABS-CBN is forced to shut down. The last time this happened was under the Marcos administration when Martial Law was declared.
This hits me a little close to home as a Broadcasting graduate, even though I'm not working in the media industry. I even applied for ABS-CBN back then for several positions.
I don't know what else to say other than that the government let it happen. Congress was sitting in it for so long just because they fear of political fallout at a time when Duterte said no to its franchise renewal. They had all the time, all the resources, even before COVID-19, and yet it happened. Even when the tune has seemingly changed when Duterte accepted ABS-CBN's apology over unaired political ads, it wasn't enough as there were still cronies who wanted the broadcast network off the air.
Now that ABS-CBN has faded to black and silence, what's next?
It's been a difficult work week. We've been hit with the bombshell that the account I work for is pulling out from the company and the reprofiling process begins next week as we meet the “sunset” by the end of this month.
You could tell the mood was heavy upon learning the news even as we try to stay positive. Many were left speechless in between phone calls as reality sinked in. It seemed unreal. I had a gut feeling this will happen when I initially heard of the “important announcement” and yet didn't want to pay too much thought about it since I thought it was only a slim chance. Still, I didn't believe what I was hearing
“What's your plan?” has been the most repeated phrase on the operations floor as the question was exchanged among the team. There was plenty of uncertainty.
As it dawned on us that we have to move forward, so as the atmosphere lightened by just a little bit as the week pushed on. We realize the end to this chapter is coming and is inevitable. A time to look ahead rather than dwelling on what's done.
As for me, while I had initially planned to ride this out until we reached the “twilight” of the program and then prepare to pack up and perhaps relocate back to Legazpi, it would seem I'm looking at another opportunity instead which will make me stick around.
I have taken the decision to pursue it and now whenever I'm thinking I'm making the right choice, I look back on how I decided the same way almost two years ago where this all began.
I do hope I'm making the better option right now and I'm gonna make the most of my current job while it lasts.
It's actually been years since I've written a personal blog post. Life happened. But I think it's time for me to revive this hobby in this New decade!
I've come across Write.as as a promising platform and has features that I would say #loveit for what I've been looking to do.
I'll have more details to share in another post but for now let me say this: It's nice to be back and let my randomness begin once more!