Numerous journalists and social media figures have taken to Twitter to convey their responses to Atty. Harry Roque’s appeal to defend the disinformation network SMNI.
During a recent media interview at the Pandesal Forum on November 30, Roque urged media practitioners and organizations to rally behind SMNI in light of the House of Representatives’ decision to investigate the network for the alleged dissemination of misinformation and fake news against House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“Sa ating mga kasamahan sa media, meron na naman pong banta sa karapatan ng malayang pamamahayag sa pamamagitan ng pananakot na baka po marevoke ang prangkisa ng SMNI.
“Itong kalayaan po ng mga mamamahayag ay isang napakaimportanteng kalayaan para po magkaron ng demokrasya dahil kinakailangan pangalagaan po natin ang malayang merkado ng ideya na nakakatulong sa pagbuo ng paninindigan ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
Rather than garnering sympathy, Roque faced mockery and laughter from some journalists who found his appeal amusing, given his stance during the ABS-CBN franchise denial.
Tonyo Cruz, in a tweet, juxtaposed art cards displaying Roque’s contrasting positions during the ABS-CBN franchise renewal and the upcoming probe into SMNI.
Noon Ngayon pic.twitter.com/aMNQHyHXPd
— Tonyo Cruz (@tonyocruz) November 30, 2023
Former PTV4 anchor Jules Guian criticized Roque, stating in a tweet, “Ang solidarity para sa malayang pamamahayag ay ibinibigay lang sa mga institusyon na tapat at lapat sa katotohanan. Kilabutan ka Harry sa pinagsasasabi mo.
Ang solidarity para sa malayang pamamahayag ay ibinibigay lang sa mga institusyon na tapat at lapat sa katotohanan.
Kilabutan ka Harry sa pinagsasasabi mo. https://t.co/1QqxLUozkx
— Julliano Fernando Guiang (@julesguiang) November 30, 2023
Former ABS-CBN broadcast journalist Christian Esquerra simply retweeted a video clip of Roque’s statement with a laughing emoji.
— Christian Esguerra (@IanEsguerra) November 30, 2023
Social media personality @pinoyakoblog slammed Roque, asking, “Nasaan ka noong ginagawa to Ng Tatay niyo sa ABS-CBN? Wag ka nga! Sit down… ”
Nasaan ka noong ginagawa to Ng Tatay niyo sa ABS-CBN? Wag ka nga! Sit down…
🙄🙄🙄 https://t.co/8pnkKt702p— Jover Laurio (@PinoyAkoBlog) November 30, 2023
Journalist Rommel Lopez, on the other hand, sees no reason to support SMNI, as Roque suggests, labeling the network as a propaganda company rather than a news organization.
“Why would we stand with SMNI who has always been attacking news organizations and journalists? I personally do not see SMNI as a news organization. It is nothing more than a propaganda company to support Duterte and Quiboloy.”
Why would we stand with SMNI who has always been attacking news organizations and journalists?
I personally do not see SMNI as a news organization. It is nothing more than a propaganda company to support Duterte and Quiboloy. https://t.co/WBS8Ab9SyK
— Rommel Lopez (@RommelFLopez) November 30, 2023
Barnaby Lo echoed similar sentiments, asserting that there is nothing about SMNI worth defending.
“Not only has SMNI not been abiding by journalistic standards, it has been a vehicle for red-tagging and attacking journalists and other media outlets. There is nothing about SMNI to defend.”
Not only has SMNI not been abiding by journalistic standards, it has been a vehicle for red-tagging and attacking journalists and other media outlets. There is nothing about SMNI to defend.
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) November 30, 2023
Carlo Ople, in response to Roque’s statement, simply tweeted “Lol.”
— Carlo Ople (@carloople) November 30, 2023
Here are other reactions from social media personalities regarding Harry Roque’s ironic call to defend Quiboloy’s network.
“Freedom of the press advocate yarnn?! Another day of how low can you go for @attyharryroque ,” tweeted activist RJ Naguit.
https://twitter.com/docrjnaguit/status/1730126430418190488
“Selective call for press freedom (clown emojis),” said Rod Magaru.
Selective call for press freedom 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 https://t.co/UGMuMu9cQB
— Rod Magaru (@rodmagaru) November 30, 2023
“This is the same gremlin who said move on re Abs cbn shutdown,” @deusXmachina14 expressed.
This is the same gremlin who said move on re Abs cbn shutdown. https://t.co/vEB9N2uAqx
— XeusXachina (@DeusXMachina14) November 30, 2023
“When your power was at its peak, hindi niyo tinigilan ang ABSCBN at Rappler. All of a sudden, you are invoking press freedom, democracy, and a free marketplace of ideas. Ipokrito na nga, basura pa,” former PBB housemate Justin Dizon shared.
“karapatan ng malayang pamamahayag”
“demokrasya”
“malayang merkado ng ideya”
When your power was at its peak, hindi niyo tinigilan ang ABSCBN at Rappler.
All of a sudden, you are invoking press freedom, democracy, and a free marketplace of ideas.
Ipokrito na nga, basura pa. https://t.co/VjXb6YhOVb
— Justin Dizon (@iamjustindizon) November 30, 2023
“Sabihin mo sa pagong. Tapos mag kwentuhan kayo,” said Kiko Rustia.
Sabihin mo sa pagong. Tapos mag kwentuhan kayo. https://t.co/38km2nKybd
— kiko rustia (@kikorustia) November 30, 2023
