Congress’ decision seen as a slap to freedom of press

Unless the House of Representatives can prove that the decision to deny media giant ABS-CBN a new franchise was based on a fair review, it sends a “chilling effect” on the freedom of the press, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said.

“Unless Congress can disabuse the minds of the public that its decision was not based on a fair review and was devoid of any political consideration, the denial of the franchise, gives a chilling effect on the freedom of the press,” the CHR said in a statement yesterday.