If there's any reason why ABS-CBN plays partisan, biased, and one-sidedness is this. It's because of a LACK of competition. Sure, Hero TV already got shut down due to a lack of profits but it may have also opened a can of worms. Refusing to renew the license of ABS-CBN too may be opening another can of worms. Let's just assume that ABS-CBN's license gets finally revoked for good. This, in turn, removes competition which may allow other local news media networks to further become bullies. What's the solution instead of canceling the license of ABS-CBN to operate? I'd say remove the foreign investment negative list COMPLETELY.
ABS-CBN's long stand as an oligarch network may have allowed it to become a bully network. I could remember how I once availed of Sky Internet and Sky Cable and GAVE UP. Sky Cable makes you pay for extra channels and what for? I remembered how Sky Internet once promised free installation but would later charge you. Also, Sky Internet's service was so bad I'm glad I gave up. These are but results of one thing - ABS-CBN as well as most Filipino-owned has been long babied by economic protectionism. Whoever says protectionism is "beneficial" may consider going to North Korea and Venezuela for a vacation for a start.
Why would I suggest to remove the foreign investment negative list completely? It's all about COMPETITION. No competition means no competitiveness. How did the Marcos Years run the Philippines dry? It was by him seizing companies and ABS-CBN happened to be one of them. How did the post-Marcos years screw it up? By continuing the stupid "Filipino First" policy which should be renamed as oligarch first policy. It's because the policy of Carlos P. Garcia only served to strengthen the oligarchs. It doesn't help Filipinos. Rather, it continues to derail the common Filipino in the name of nationalism.
More competition would mean that ABS-CBN has to start rethinking its business practices. It would mean that the would have to offer better services at more reasonable prices. They would have to embrace more competition with the other local oligarch networks. The whole issue of the free market is not just supply and demand. If they want to survive in the free market then they better GROW UP as a network. If not, they perish. If anything, ABS-CBN might as well perish at their own hand rather than perish because of government intervention. But if ABS-CBN decides to change its ways because of competition then, by all means, LET THEM COMPETE! Just make sure that they play fair like EVERY PLAYER in the free market.
What should be thought of right now is the REMOVAL of the excessive restrictions on foreign investments. That way, the Philippine business environment is bound to change. There would be more revenues and more jobs for the country.
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