The Philippine government on Monday urged the
Supreme Court to cancel the franchises of the country's top broadcaster, ABS-CBN Corp, a move slammed by opposition lawmakers and activists as an attack designed to intimidate independent media.
The government said the 66-year-old entertainment and media conglomerate, which drew the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte during his 2016
election campaign, had violated ownership laws and was involved in "highly abusive practices".
Duterte's opponents said the complaint was timed to deny
Congress the chance to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, which employs nearly 7,000 people and engages hundreds of celebrities in radio, television and online content.