GMA News TV is dodging criticisms after Filipino viewers noticed that it failed to provide round-the-clock reports about super typhoon Goni, which left much destruction in the Bicol region yesterday.
Netizens noticed that instead of reporting about the typhoon, the news channel aired Pokemon XYZ and several soap operas. A Twitter user said that at 3pm yesterday, ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo reported the typhoon while GMA News aired a Thai show.
At 3pm this afternoon, ANC and Teleradyo is broadcasting a full coverage of #RollyPH while GMA News TV is airing a dubbed Thai TV show. https://t.co/1i69qVZMJL pic.twitter.com/REztsRRDym
— The Invisible Guy PH (@invisibleguyPH) November 1, 2020
Another Twitter user said that at 11pm yesterday, Teleradyo and cable channel ANC, also owned by ABS-CBN, reported the typhoon while GMA News TV broadcast a movie. State-owned media PTV 4 followed its regular programming.
Its almost 11pm and Teleradyo/ANC is still doing marathon coverage of Rolly. GMA News TV is showing a movie. PTV 4 is regular programming whole day except for that late press brieefing. Teka muna, sino nga ulit ang walang franchise? pic.twitter.com/k8QHPZ4UBD
— Deodato Malaya (@malayadeodato) November 1, 2020
GMA News’ program schedule showed that its news programs are aired only in the mornings and evenings. It airs entertainment programs for the rest of the day.
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The lack of coverage on the typhoon’s devastation prompted many Filipinos to say that they miss having ABS-CBN on-air, such as lawyer Goyo Larrazabal. ABS-CBN was forced to shut down after it failed to secure a new 25-year-license from Congress. Lawmakers have alleged that ABS-CBN violated a slew of laws, but critics have said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s dislike for the media company led to its closure.
Larrazabal said in a tweet that so “many people are in the dark” because of the absence of ABS-CBN’s reports. Tina Panganiban-Perez, a producer and reporter for GMA News, responded that her employer provides “updates” about the disaster. However, Filipinos did not like Perez’s response, such as @giofre_, who said, “Ma’am, your [channel’s] signal is bad in far-flung areas, and your channel is bad in general.”
hi maam ampanget ng signal ng channel niyo sa mga far-flung areas and ampanget den ng channel niyo in general
— jam (@giofre_) October 31, 2020
What do you think of GMA News TV’s coverage of the typhoon? Tell us by leaving a comment below or tweeting to @CoconutsManila.
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