“I do not believe in the chilling effect [of the franchise denial] because first of all, news is not ABS-CBN’s full-time business but entertainment,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview with dzBB, radio station of ABS-CBN’s main rival, GMA Network.
He was referring to the “chilling effect” as stated by Vice President Leni Robredo when she said that the shutdown of ABS-CBN through the House of Representatives will have an effect on how other news stations would report on the government and politicians.
“It will have a chilling effect. Editorial choices in newsrooms across the country could change owing to how ABS-CBN was put through the wringer,” Robredo said in a separate interview.
Roque on Saturday reassures the public that it should not be a cause for concern to other media entities.
He also emphasized that the vote of the representatives is the vote of the people.
“But as of now, that is the decision of the representatives of the people, that is the decision of the people. Let us let it be and wait for the judgment of the people on their representatives, if any,” he said.
