NTC suspends SMNI operations for 30 days
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has suspended the operations of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) for a month after its alleged violation of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
In a statement, the government agency said that the decision to temporarily halt the operations of the network, which is led by controversial pastor Apollo Quiboloy, for 30 days comes in response to House Resolution No. 189. The measure aimed to suspend SMNI amid its issues of alleged dissemination of fake news and engaging in red-tagging.
NTC ordered Swara Sug Media Corporation—the business name of SMNI—to show cause and explain in writing why it should not be administratively sanctioned within 15 days from receipt of the order.
The agency stated that Swara Sug "has violated at least three specific provisions of its legislative franchise, and gave due deference to such determination of the House of Representatives and its authority."
The violations in question include deliberately disseminating false information, the transfer of shares without prior approval of Congress, and failure to comply with the 30 percent dispersal of ownership to the public.
A corresponding administrative hearing on the issue will be held on Jan. 4 next year.
Aside from the NTC order, the Movie And Television Review And Classification Board previously issued a 14-day suspension to two of SMNI's programs: Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa and Laban Kasama ang Bayan. This took effect on Dec, 18.
Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa got suspended for airing foul language and death threats directed at ACT Teachers Representative France Castro. On the other hand, Laban Kasama ng Bayan was given a suspension after its hosts, Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz, made unverified reports about Speaker Martin Romualdez's travel expenses, claiming they reached a whopping P1.8 billion.
The investigation into SMNI's issues started near the end of November after it reportedly aired false information about Romualdez’s overseas trips.
Following the non-renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise in 2022, several frequencies were reallocated, including one to SMNI, which has stations in Davao City and Makati.