From voicing out their support to creating images that showed the company colors of ABS-CBN, artists express solidarity with the media giant, its workers, and Filipino supporter

MANILA, Philippines – The colors red, blue, and green have never been so radiant as now.

From voicing out their support to creating images that show the company colors of ABS-CBN, artists expressed solidarity with the media giant, its workers, and Filipino supporters whom it has served for decades. 

The shutdown order of the National Telecommunications Network (NTC) came a day after the expiration of the broadcast network's congressional franchise, and just two days after the celebration of World Press Freedom Day. 

In a statement, Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo (SAKA), an alliance of art and cultural workers, lambasted the move, saying it was meant to suppress the free press the same way the government has attempted to muzzle peasant communities and advocates. 

“Freedom of the press and freedom of expression are democratic rights. And the democratic majority – the Philippine peasantry – demands their protection. A vibrant press sharpens the sickle; expression bolsters the peasant struggle for #LandJusticePeace,” SAKA said. 

It criticized the government's attempt to monopolize power, to silence media seen as President Rodrigo Duterte's staunch critics, and to force-feed Filipinos with government propaganda and "fake news."

“By shutting ABS-CBN down, the state exercises Duterte’s bid to monopolize the flow of knowledge through fake news factories like the Presidential Communications Group and its troll farms,” the group said. 

The Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) also questioned the timing of the move as the shutdown comes at a time when Filipinos need key information about the coronavirus crisis.

“At a time when we are all trying to help out with relief, livelihood, truth telling, and vigilance over COVID-19 responses, the order only contributes to economic displacement and curtailment of the right to information and expression,” CAP said.