Filipino journalists react amid reports of CNN Philippines shutting down operations
As news of CNN Philippines' potential shutdown reverberated through the country, several Filipino journalists took to social media to express their sentiments.
According to reports, the television network operated by Nine Media Corp. has suffered "significant financial losses," which resulted in Nine Media Corp. and CNN mutually agreeing to not continue with their licensing agreement that is set to end this year.
In a post on X, former ABS-CBN reporter Jacque Manabat penned a supportive message to her fellow reporters at CNN Philippines as she discussed how the shutdown could lead to more disinformation.
"The situation at CNN Philippines is affecting not just journalism, but all of us. In this era of AI-driven misinformation and disinformation, the call is for more journalism, not less," Manabat wrote.
"We need more journalism for keeping the powerful in check and helping the public make informed decisions. Sending hugs to all my friends at CNN PH," she added.
The situation at CNN Philippines is affecting not just journalism, but all of us. In this era of AI-driven misinformation and disinformation, the call is for more journalism, not less. We need more journalism for keeping the powerful in check and helping the public make informed…
— Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) January 26, 2024
CNN Philippines news reporter Tristan Nodalo reacted to the reported shutdown by changing his profile picture on his social media accounts into a black-and-white version of the network's logo. He also posted pictures of his workplace on X where he highlighted how he is "always proud to be part of the team behind 'The Source' hosted by Pinky Webb."
THE SOURCE
— Tristan Nodalo (@TristanNodalo) January 26, 2024
Always proud to be part of the team behind "The Source" hosted by Pinky Webb pic.twitter.com/eCHW45NQ4Z
Pauline Verzosa, a CNN sports reporter, meanwhile reposted on her Instagram stories an old post where she celebrated the 40th anniversary of the multinational news channel.
Claire Jiao, a Filipino reporter for Bloomberg, reacted to the "terrible news," lauding the "brilliant, hardworking journalists and staff of CNN PH."
"Everyone in that newsroom fought so hard to put CNN PH on the map and build it to what it is today despite the funding constraints. The Philippines loses yet another broadcaster," she said on X.
CNN Philippines employees are set to attend a General Assembly on Jan. 29 to possibly discuss the rumored shutdown. However, the memo that was signed by CNN President Benjamin Ramos has no agenda indicated.
With this, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines issued a statement stressing how media workers shouldn't be the last to know about decisions that affect their future.
"The apparent lack of communication between management and staff over the coming changes highlights the need for workplace organizing to, at minimum, ensure that employees are kept abreast of corporate developments that will affect them," the group stated.
It continued, "It is cruel to have to find out about your company's potential plans from news reports and from gossip instead of from leadership that expects media workers to be on call and updated on issues of the day but are silent on pressing workplace issues."
CNN Philippines is a "predominantly English language free-to-air television" that was launched in 2015 by Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific and Nine Media Corp.