It is utter myopia to conveniently distance from the exercise of press freedom the issue on the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation which will soon expire on March 30, 2020.

The question on renewal inextricably involves the exercise of press freedom.

The grant of a congressional franchise to a radio and/or television network does not reduce press freedom to an ordinary privilege subject to the unfettered discretion of the State.

A franchise is required for reasonable regulation of the operation of a radio/TV enterprise. It was never intended to curtail the freedom of the press.

Verily, the jurisdiction of the Congress whether or not to grant a franchise or renew it is not isolated from the exercise of the constitutionally sacrosanct freedom of the press. Any arbitrary refusal to grant a franchise or renew it is an assault to press freedom.

Bills have been filed since the 17th Congress for the renewal of the giant network’s franchise even as nine (9) similar bills are pending in the 18th Congress awaiting for the action of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises less than three months before the subject franchise ends or effectively 24 regular session days before the Congress adjourns on March 14, 2020 to May 3, 2020 for the long Holy Week break.

While franchises of radio and television networks of lesser magnitude have been expeditiously renewed, the bills on ABS-CBN’s renewal languish in the Committee on Legislative Franchises simply because President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly opposed such renewal for personal grievances against ABS-CBN.

The infringement of press freedom is more patent in the case of a deliberate delay or refusal to renew an existing franchise because the franchisee expects the renewal under the law for another 25 years, for which reason it has poured in tremendous investments in the network’s operation to effectively serve the public.

Press freedom is a fundamental right safeguarded by the Constitution. It is enshrined in the Bill of Rights to protect it from any derogation by the State.

A franchise is an embodiment of the State’s recognition of press freedom.

The freedom of the press is corollary to the people’s right to information. The destruction of press freedom amounts to the demise of the people’s right to know.

Moreover, a free press is vital to a democratic society because it not only guarantees the dissemination of diversity of voices and opinions, but it also holds those in power accountable.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN