MTRCB orders 14-day preventive suspension on two SMNI programs

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued a 14-day preventive suspension order for two Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) programs “Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa” (GMPM) and “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” (LKB) effective on December 18.

MTRCB stated one episode of LKB and two episodes of GMPM were found with certain aspects that may have violated the established guidelines and standards set by Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations governing broadcasting content.

The suspension stemmed from issues including SMNI anchors Jeffrey Celiz and Lorraine Badoy who were cited for contempt and false claims about House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s alleged P1.8 travel budget spending this year; and former President Rodrigo Duterte’s death threat towards ACT Teachers Partylist representative France Castro aired on the Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa program on October 10.

Last November 8, MTRCB already warned SMNI in their preliminary conference where the network assured to pre-record and review episodes. But SMNI was seemingly unbothered; not until the LKB episode aired on November 27 having Celiz and Badoy reporting such false claims putting SMNI in the hot seat both in Congress and in the board last November 30.

“The decision supports the legal precedent set by Soriano v. Laguardia, et al., where the Supreme Court affirmed the MTRCB’s authority to issue preventive suspension as part of its regulatory and supervisory mandate,” it said in the MTRCB decision.

SMNI, Duterte in hot waters

“While we are wary of government censorship, we note that the network was given due process on its potential violations, due process that was not given to the individuals and organizations that Badoy-Partosa and Celiz brazenly defamed on their show,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said in a statement.

NUJP pertained to the numerous red-tagging allegations made by Celiz and Badoy and the whole SMNI per se towards journalists, lawyers, activists, and even celebrities who are voicing critical dissent.

The entire leadership of NUJP have also been red-tagged, being branded as “terrorist” or affiliated with the New People’s Army.

Manila Today editor Lady Ann Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago of Human Rights Day 7 as well as Reina Mae Nasino, Alma Moran, and Ram Carlo Bautista of Tondo 3 were alleged as “urban operatives”, a narrative that came next after the “gun-running syndicate” story which led to their arrests via issued warrants by Quezon City Judge Cecilyn-Burgos VIllavert.

On the other hand, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Castro welcomed the 14-day preventive suspension for the two SMNI shows.

“This suspension is long overdue, but at last, now something has been done to curtail the constant red-tagging, spreading of disinformation (fake news) and threatening of individuals using these two shows as well as the network,” Castro said

The lawmaker slammed the Marcos Jr. administration to be held accountable as authorities must look into the pattern and consistent red-tagging, terrorist-labelling for longer and more decisive measures.

Castro, who received death threats from Duterte, filed counter-charges last October 29. However, Duterte did not show up to the trial last December 4 as he claimed to not receive the subpoena.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan chairman Teodoro Casiño also lauded the MTRCB decision which provide their various complaints about SMNI’s purported red-tagging and dissemination of fake news.

On December 18, Casiño filed a P2-million lawsuit against Celiz and Badoy for red-tagging. It was the same case filed by BAYAN chair emeritus Carol Araullo and his son and journalist Atom Araullo last July and September, respectively.

“Freedom of expression and the freedom of the press are not blanket justifications for hate speech, vilification and threats,” NUJP concluded.

SMNI currently operates under the 25-year legislative franchise under RA 11422 granted to Swara Sug Media Corporation of the Philippines in August 2019. Televangelist and known Duterte ally pastor Apollo Quiboloy holds the biggest shares of the network despite refusing to be the owner.