The Quiboloy-owned SMNI–is facing a possible network shutdown after several individuals filed complaints against the network at the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
On Wednesday, May 4, Erlinda Cadapan, Concepcion Empeño, and Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay filed a 16-page complaint against SMNI for supposedly spreading false information, maligning and defaming several individuals, and unfair news reporting.
“Responsibilidad ng SMNI bilang isang broadcasting station na magpahayag ng mga katotohanan at maging patas. Kabaligtaran ang kanilang ginagawa — puro fake news at paninira sa tao ang kanilang pinapalabas. Marapat lamang na tanggalan sila ng lisensya o prangkisa.”
The complainants are questioning SMNI’s interview with convicted kidnapper former Gen. Jovito Palparan and NTF-ELCAC Spokesperson Loraine Badoy, which sought to vindicate Palparan against what Badoy claimed as “trumped-up charges.”
An administrative complaint was filed against Quiboloy-led SMNI over its interview with convicted kidnapper, retired Army General Jovito Palparan. pic.twitter.com/kKCxu2XzuX
— Ted Cordero (@Ted_Cordero) May 4, 2022
In the interview, Badoy and Palparan also accused Vice President Leni Robredo of collaborating with the New People’s Army which was also repeated in a news segment aired in April.
Cadapan and Empeño are the parents of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño who disappeared on June 26, 2006.
“Considering the unfortunate plight which our daughters were subjected to and/or despite Palparan’s incarceration, SMNI still aired the interview with the latter based on nothing more than unsubstantiated allegations and/or red-tagging,” said Cadapan and Empeño.
“Because of these, its viewers and/or the public are led to biased or unreliable information, not to mention deliberate misrepresentation, to the detriment of public interest,” the two added.
In the complaint, they accused Quiboloy’s network of violating its legislative franchise or Republic Act No. 11422, granted to its parent company Swara Sug Media Corporation. Among the provisions they violated was Section 4 which stated that they should “provide at all times sound and balanced programming” and “not to use its stations… for the dissemination of deliberately false information or willful misrepresentation, to the detriment of the public interest.”
Aside from franchise violations SMNI also violated provisions of the Broadcast Code of the Philippines adhered to by members of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) which SMNI is a member. And violation of the provisions of Commission on Elections Resolution No. 10730 involving truth in advertising and fair and accurate reporting.
Meanwhile, sought for comments regarding the complaint, SMNI President Rosete said, “It’s none of your business.”
Sought for comment, SMNI president Marion Rosete said, “It’s none of your business.”
— Ted Cordero (@Ted_Cordero) May 4, 2022
SMNI has recently become famous for its pro-government news and personalities, who often spread misinformation against government critics and other media entities.
FBI-wanted and fugitive Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, accused of sex trafficking and other charges–is the Network owner.
