THERE is no dispute that one of the most popular sports persons in the world in the ‘90s was Michael Jordan. Thus, the ESPN series, “The Last Dance,” a documentary of Jordan’s final appearance with his team, the Chicago Bulls, has brought about renewed interest on His Airness. What makes the feature laudable is that it not only focuses on the highs in Jordan’s career, but also, touches on controversies surrounding the famed basketball player.
One controversy that continues to hound him was his failure to openly endorse Harvey Gantt, an African-American Democrat, who ran for a Senate seat in Jordan’s home state, North Carolina and lost. The opponent was the incumbent white Republican, Jesse Helms, who opposed the proposal for a Martin Luther King Day. What made it more controversial was his statement: “Republicans buy sneakers, too.” With the popularity of Nike’s Air Jordan, he was perceived as thinking more about money than being a black advocate. In the feature, he acknowledged the statement, saying it was an “of the cuff” joke to his teammates and that he wasn’t an activist or a politician. He said: “I was playing my sport. I was focused on my craft.”
Which brings us to the ABS-CBN closure. It is important that this matter be debated upon. We cannot simply be bystanders; or forever we will be hounded for not making a stand. Solicitor General Jose Calida asked the Supreme Court to void the ABS-CBN broadcast franchise and is said to have warned the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from issuing a provisional authority to operate, pending the applications made for the renewal of the media giant’s franchise before Congress. President Rodrigo Duterte holds grudges with the Lopez-run broadcast company for failing him in the last presidential election. It comes naturally that Duterte supporters have filled the social media with arguments favoring the closure.
But the voices though of those questioning the action of NTC have grown louder, even reaching the more important publications and media outfits overseas. Freedom of speech has been trampled upon. It is reminiscent of the high-handedness of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. It is anti-business, hinting that there are Duterte cronies interested in the businesses of the Lopezes.
Yet it all boils down to the dilly-dallying of Congress in the deciding on the applications of ABS-CBN for the renewal of their franchise. Could be because there are solons who have interest in cable stations affected by the pro-activeness of ABS-CBN? Or maybe, our legislators want to obtain better exposure from the station? I must say that this is politics as usual. The closure of ABS-CBN will impact not just their staff, the stockholders and the viewing public, but the credibility of this government and the standing of the Philippines as a democracy and a free market.