Philippine lawmaker rejects media conglomerate’s franchise renewal

An ABS-CBN employee holds a candle during a prayer gathering as Philippine lawmakers hear the broadcast network’s franchise renewal on July 9, 2020. (Reuters)

• Philippine lawmakers voted against a bill that would have given a license to the media group, whose congressional franchise expired on May 4

MANILA: A Philippine lower house committee on Friday rejected a request for a 25-year extension of the broadcast franchise of ABS-CBN Corp, a move that will ensure the media conglomerate that has angered President Rodrigo Duterte will stay off air.
Philippine lawmakers voted against a bill that would have given a license to the media group, whose congressional franchise expired on May 4.
The telecom regulator ordered ABS-CBN and its dozens of radio and television stations to cease operations on May 5.