As we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolution, let us resist all attempts to suppress the freedoms of the press, expression, and dissent, which were all victims of the repressive martial law regime under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

In the wake of the declaration of martial law in September 1972, Marcos unconstitutionally shut down 292 radio stations all over the country; 66 community newspapers; 11 English weekly magazines; seven major English dailies; four Chinese dailies; three Filipino dailies; one English-Filipino daily; one Spanish daily; and seven television stations, including the then ABS-CBN television station.

The imminent closure of the ABS-CBN Corporation due to the malevolent non-renewal of its legislative franchise will be the second time the network will be forced to cease operations.

The ennobling spirit of EDSA and the horrific specter of the martial law regime must galvanize all sectors to protect and uphold the freedom of expression, the right to dissent, press freedom, and people’s free access to information through media.

EDSA’s legacy must not be sacrificed to personal grievances and partisan intolerance.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN