Bayan urges gov’t to ‘look deeper into wrongdoings of SMNI’

MANILA, Philippines — While they are still wary of the government using its powers to stifle press freedom, progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) clarifies that Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) deserves all the sanction that it has gotten so far.

In a statement on Friday, Bayan chairperson Teddy Casiño said they urge authorities to look deeper into other allegations against the network such as questionable ownership structure and financial statements — information which was uncovered during the House committee on legislative franchises’ hearing on the issue.

Casiño said the government must use this power properly too so that it would not have any chilling effect on the media.

“We urge the authorities to look deeper into the wrongdoings of SMNI, including its questionable ownership structure, financial statements, dealings with foreign entities including China’s state media, and possible role in Quiboloy’s criminal activities for which he has been charged in other jurisdictions,” he said.

“Wary as we are of the propensity of tyrannical regimes to stifle press freedom and free expression, the reality is that the power to check and put a stop to SMNI’s violations of its franchise falls on Congress as well as MTRCB and NTC. They should exercise this power properly to avoid whatever chilling effect these might have on legitimate media outlets,” he added.

On Thursday, the National Telecommunications Commission issued a 30-day suspension against SMNI’s operations, heeding the call of the House, which adopted PBA party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles’ resolution against the network.

Then on Wednesday, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) ordered the suspension of two SMNI programs: Gikan Sa Masa, Para sa Masa and Laban Kasama ang Bayan.

Gikan sa Masa was suspended after former president Rodrigo Duterte uttered statements during an October episode that had negatively impacted “public welfare, ethical considerations, and the overall reputation of the broadcasting industry.”

Laban Kasama ng Bayan meanwhile was shut down temporarily because self-proclaimed former rebel Jeffrey ‘Ka Eric’ Celiz stated wrong and misleading information about House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s travel expenses.

After the different actions against SMNI, supporters of the network, including officials of the Duterte administration, called these moves an attempt to curtail press freedom.  No less than former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque called on other media workers to stand with SMNI, regardless of political color.

But Casiño expressed doubts as to whether SMNI should even be considered a legitimate media company.

“In the first place, SMNI is not a legitimate media outlet but a propaganda platform for Apollo Quiboloy’s dubious religious and political machinations,” he claimed.

“Under the Duterte administration, it transformed into the main channel for red tagging, terrorist labeling, disinformation, outright lies, and defamation against government critics, activists, members of the press, the opposition, and virtually anyone critical of Duterte and his murderous fascist regime. It has become a purveyor of fascist ideology and a genuine threat to human rights,” he added.

Bayan was not the first to insist that the penalties against SMNI do not violate press freedom or free speech provisions.  On Wednesday, key opposition figure, lawyer, and former senator Leila de Lima said that while the suspension of SMNI programs may look like prior restraint, these were imposed as a penalty for previous incidents.

Also, University of the Philippines – Diliman associate journalism professor Danilo Arao believes the grilling of SMNI officials and hosts during the House panel’s hearing was not a press freedom issue, as the network’s penchant for red-tagging had extended to some of its programs.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro — who was the subject of Duterte’s alleged threats over Gikan sa Masa —  also echoed Arao’s statements that the SMNI issue is different from ABS-CBN’s franchise.

ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal was rejected by the House in the 18th Congress.