ABS-CBN plays crucial role in fighting ‘fake news’ — Zarate

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate on Monday insisted that ABS-CBN should be allowed to resume operations during a pandemic and in the “era of fake news.”

“Especially now during these trying times of Covid-19 pandemic affecting our country and the rest of the world, the media plays a huge role in delivering to the public the current news and information necessary for our citizens’ very survival,” the Makabayan lawmaker said.

Especially, too, in this era of FAKE NEWS when deliberate disinformation — many even coming from officials and government agencies — is being spread like virus among our people in all platforms, particularly social media, ABS-CBN plays a crucial role to counter this pernicious scheme,” he added.

Zarate was one of several lawmakers who sponsored bills granting a new franchise to ABS-CBN, which was ordered closed on May 5 after its 25-year franchise expired.

The sponsorships took place during a joint hearing of the House committees on legislative franchises and good government on Monday.

Zarate said ABS-CBN could also play a huge part in promoting distance learning.

“Also, now that physical classes are seen as not safe and feasible for both children and educators, even Malacañang acknowledged that the Applicant ABS CBN could be instrumental for the government’s push for distance learning,” he said.

“On its part, Applicant ABS-CBN expressed support of the government’s shift to distance learning in the time of pandemic, through its educational and child development programs, which are already in existence even before this current crisis happened,” Zarate said.

“Clearly, with the national presence of Applicant ABS CBN, its accessibility, and proven track record to produce quality educational content, it could effectively perform such a mandate in the new normal in education,” he said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)