US ‘Concerned’ Over Shutdown of Top Philippine Broadcaster

The United States on Thursday (May 7) voiced concern over the Philippine government-ordered shutdown of the country’s top broadcaster ABS-CBN, which has been targeted by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We are concerned by the situation regarding ABS-CBN,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

Ortagus said that free media was especially vital in promoting public health amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

ABS-CBN was forced off the air over the stalled renewal of its operating licence, which Duterte had repeatedly pledged to block.