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SMNI News Channel

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SMNI News Channel
Logo used since 2016
TypeBroadcast digital free-to-air television network
CountryPhilippines
Headquarters
Programming
Language(s)Filipino (main)
English (secondary)
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
(downscaled to 16:9 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
OwnerSwara Sug Media Corporation
Key peopleMarlon Rosete (President and CEO)
Ludevija Ayang (Executive Producer)
Sister channelsSMNI
History
LaunchedMay 24, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-05-24)
FounderApollo Quiboloy
(Honorary Chairman)
ReplacedTeleRadyo (UHF 43 channel space, digital)
ClosedDecember 19, 2023; 11 months ago (2023-12-19) (digital TV only, NTC ordered suspension)
Links
Websitesmninewschannel.com
Availability
Terrestrial
Davao CentralChannel 39.2
Channels 14 and 46 (Sky Cable)
Channel 97 (Davao Cableworld Network)
Metro ManilaChannel 39.1 (Digital)
Channel 162 (Sky Cable)
Channel 95 (Cablelink)
NationwideChannel 186 (Cignal TV)
Channel 40 (G-Sat Direct TV)

SMNI News Channel (SNC; stylized in all caps), known on-air as SMNI News, is a Philippine far-right[1][2] religious free-to-air news and public service television network based in Makati. It is owned and operated by Swara Sug Media Corporation, the parent company of Sonshine Media Network International, a broadcasting arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) led by Filipino televangelist and religious leader, Apollo Quiboloy.[3][4]

It airs national and international newscasts and talk shows, rolling news coverage from correspondents and reporters of SMNI Manila and other news bureaus in the Philippines and in more than 40 countries around the world, entertainment programs and news-related programs.[3]

It is exclusively aired over Digital terrestrial television on UHF Channels 39 and 43 in Metro Manila, and UHF Channel 19 in Davao Central and through more than 500 cable & satellite affiliates nationwide, selected programs simulcasting live via Facebook page, as well as on the main SMNI channel via analog and digital TV.[3]

SMNI News Channel broadcasting van

Programming

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Current programs

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News

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  • Balita ng Bansa (2020)
  • SMNI Newsblast (2016)
    • EdiTOLrial with Sen. Francis Tolentino
  • SMNI Newsbreak
  • SMNI Nightline News (2021)
  • Newsline World
  • Weekender World

Public affairs and commentary

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  • 3PM: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao Pilipinas Muna! (2023)
  • Business and Politics with Dante "Klink" Ang II (2022)
  • Dito sa Bayan ni Juan (2021)
  • Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa (2023)[5]
  • Laban Kasama Ang Bayan (2021)
  • Maki-Alam (2022)
  • Pinoy Legal Minds (2022)
  • Pulso ng Bayan (2022)
  • Statecraft with Sass Rogando-Sasot (2021)
  • SMNI Special Reports
  • The Deep Probe (2023)

Public service

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  • Kabayan Abroad (2020)
  • OFW, Ikaw ang Bida! (2023)
  • Problema N'yo Itawag kay Panelo (2022)
  • SMNI Exclusive (2022)

Health and Infotainment Environment Edutainment

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  • Eco Hour
  • Healthy Chat @ Sonshine
  • Ito ang Buhay (This is Life)
  • Mga Doktor ng Bayan (2022)
  • Pa-Talk (2022)
  • SMNI Entrepinoy Revolution (2022)
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  • ACQ Classic
  • Give Us This Day
  • Powerline
  • Quiet Moments
  • Sounds of Worship
  • Gospel of the Kingdom
  • SPOTLIGHT Live! Worldwide

Documentary

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  • A New Me Story of Hope and Victory
  • Caravan of Love

Drama

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  • Makitang Muli (Tagalog dub of 2011 Chinese drama Family Reunion; produced by Regent Foods Corporation, 2023)

* - denotes that this program is also simulcast on its main DTV channel, SMNI and Radio station DZAR 1026.

Previous programs

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News

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Current affairs and commentary

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  • Point of Order (2021–2022)
  • Usaping Bayan (2016–2022)
  • Thinking Pinoy on SMNI (2020–2021)
  • Build PH (2023)
  • OFW Helpline (2023)

Infotainment

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  • Amplify Your Life

Drama

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  • Papa, Nasa'n Ka? (2023) (Tagalog dub of 2011 Chinese drama Horizon True Heart; produced by Regent Foods Corporation, 2023)

Cartoon

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  • Generation K

Specials

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  • Election Watch 2016: The SMNI News Special Coverage
  • SMNI Presidential Debates 2022
  • SMNI Senatorial Debates 2022
  • On the Road with the Frontrunner (multi-platform coverage of UniTeam campaign rallies)
  • The Deep Probe: The SMNI Presidential Candidates Interview
  • Election Watch 2019: The SMNI News Special Coverage
  • Election Watch 2022: The SMNI News Special Coverage

Subchannels

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Subchannels of SMNI News Channel (UHF channel 39)
Channel Video Aspect Short name Programming Note
39.01 480i 16:9 SMNI News Channel SMNI News Channel OFFLINE
39.02 16:9/4:3 SMNI SMNI
39.03 16:9 SMNI Radio DZAR

Notable broadcasters and anchors

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Current anchors

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Quiboloy (center) with his guest President Rodrigo Duterte discuss matters during the show "Give Us This Day" in June 2019.

Former anchors

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Awards and citations

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In June 2023, SMNI was recognized as the "Best Preeminent Broadcasting and Media Production Company" (international category) in the 16th Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business and Excellence.[11]

Controversies

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Alleged far-right bias, red-tagging

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According to a report by Rappler, the network allegedly fuels disinformation, misleading claims and propaganda to attack journalists and critics of the Duterte administration.[12][citation needed] It also has been accused of being a far-right channel in the Philippines.[1][2]

On 7 July 2023, YouTube terminated the channels of SMNI and one of its programs, Laban Kasama ang Bayan (translated from Tagalog: Fight with the People), along with KJC, following a previous ban on Quiboloy's YouTube channel which was terminated on 21 June. Google later stated that their actions were in compliance with existing sanctions by the United States against Quiboloy pursuant to the US Global Magnitsky Act as well as allegations of red-tagging misinformation; Quiboloy was previously indicted by the United States Department of Justice on charges of human trafficking and child sexual abuse.[13][14]

Quiboloy and SMNI later created accounts on the alt-tech video service Rumble[15] as well as an alternate account for SMNI on YouTube in defiance of sanctions;[16] the latter account was suspended by YouTube a few days later.[17] On 15 September 2023, the SMNI News Facebook page was deleted, in accordance to Meta's Dangerous Organizations and Individuals Policy.[18]

Administrative complaint

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SMNI is facing an administrative complaint filed in May 2022 before the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Concepcion Empeño and Erlinda Cadapan, the mothers of disappeared students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, and left-wing human rights group Karapatan petitioned the NTC to revoke Swara Sug Media Corporation's franchise, for airing on SMNI an interview with convicted kidnapper and retired Army General Jovito Palparan.[19] The complainants said in a statement that the broadcast propagated disinformation in violation of Republic Act No. 11422 and the 2007 Broadcast Code of the Philippines.[19][20] Palparan and program host Lorraine Badoy also red-tagged former vice president and then-presidential candidate Leni Robredo during the broadcast, which the complainants alleged were in violation of Commission on Elections' Resolution No. 10730 involving truth in advertising and fair and accurate reporting.[20]

Partnership talks with CGTN

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See also: Propaganda in China § External propaganda, and China-Philippines relations

During former President Rodrigo Duterte's meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping in July 2023, SMNI personnel, along with Quiboloy, met with Chinese state media CGTN executives to discuss a partnership for efficient information dissemination.[21][22]

House franchise probe

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This section is an excerpt from Sonshine Media Network International § House franchise probe.[edit]

On 28 November 2023, the Philippine House Committee on Legislative Franchises launched an investigation on SMNI, following a report claimed by Laban Kasama ang Bayan co-host Jeffrey Celiz about travel expenses allocated to House Speaker Martin Romualdez where he spent ₱1.8 billion. Quezon 2nd District Representative David Suarez called the report "fake news".[23] The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) also flagged SMNI, Celiz and co-host Lorraine Badoy for violating its Code of Ethics even when they were unaccredited broadcasters.[24][25]

SMNI faced legal scrutiny following the investigation, including the revocation of its congressional franchise. PBA Partylist Representative Margarita Nograles filed a resolution urging the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to suspend the broadcast operations of SMNI for allegedly violating its franchise's terms and conditions.[26][27]

Suspension of programs

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Two programs were placed under a 14-day preventive suspension by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, effective 18 December 2023,[28] following reported complaints on their alleged violations.[29] Majority of board members voted to suspend Gikan sa Masa, para sa Masa, where program host, former president Rodrigo Duterte, allegedly twice aired threats against ACT Teachers party-list representative France Castro.[28][29]

The program Laban Kasama ng Bayan was unanimously suspended after an episode where one of the hosts, Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz, questioned the travel spending of House Speaker Martin Romualdez in that year, citing unverified information from his source at the Senate.[28][29] The House had Celiz cited in contempt for refusing to reveal his source on his inquiry; Celiz said he is bound by the Sotto Law, which protects journalists from revealing their sources.[30] Celiz was eventually detained for seven days together with his fellow host, Lorraine Badoy, who was also cited in contempt. Celiz and Badoy went on a hunger strike in response to the "travesty" of the House proceedings and their detention.[31] On 11 December, Celiz' wife and Badoy's husband, represented by lawyer and fellow SMNI host Harry Roque, filed a petition before the Supreme Court to release the two news hosts on or before 15 December; the petition also asked the court to issue a writ of habeas corpus declaring their detention had no legal basis and to issue a writ declaring that the House acted with grave abuse of discretion.[32] Four days later, the House released Celiz and Badoy from detention citing "humanitarian reasons dahil Kapaskuhan (because it is Christmas)".[33]

On 21 December, the National Telecommunications Commission issued an order suspending operations of the entire SMNI for 30 days, as well as a show cause order against the network.[34] On 22 January 2024, the NTC, per Deputy Commissioners John Paulo Salvahan and Alvin Bernardo Blanco, in a 6-page Cease and Desist Order, made the 30-day SMNI suspension indefinite: “Pursuant to Sec. 4, Rule 10, the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure… the Commission hereby directs respondent to cease and desist from operating its radio and television stations under the authorities enumerated in the 19 December 2023 show-cause-order (with 30-day suspension order pending hearing and final consideration of the above-captioned case).” The Order was signed after the House of Representatives said in Resolution 189 that "the SMNI violated several provisions of its franchise as provided under Republic Act 11422".[35][36]

References

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  1. ^ a b Chua, Yvonne T. (June 14, 2023). "Philippines". Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Chi, Cristina (June 14, 2023). "Digital News Report: Filipinos more 'cautious' of expressing political views". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "SMNI News Sonshine Media Network International". SMNI News. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  4. ^ "Apollo Carreon Quiboloy". FBI Most Wanted. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Llemit, Ralph Lawrence G. (January 14, 2023). "Ex-Pres. Duterte's 'Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa' returns". SunStar. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  6. ^ "Mike Abe on PEP.ph". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  7. ^ Navalta, Daniel Joseph (November 7, 2019). "Broadcaster Mike Abe lambasts Vice Ganda for making fun of Pastor Quiboloy". Kami.com.ph - Philippines news. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "Challenge Accepted: Pastor Quiboloy takes comedian's dare to end EDSA traffic, long-running TV show – kind of". Coconuts Manila. November 8, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "Vice Ganda, sinermunan ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy". Radio Mindanao Network. May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  10. ^ "Napuno na! Broadcaster walks out on air after Quiboloy takes jab at Marcos' SONA". Politiko. July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  11. ^ Montibon, Pol (June 5, 2023). "SMNI, muling tumanggap ng pagkilala mula sa Golden Globe Awards 2023". DZAR 1026 Sonshine Radio (in Filipino). Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  12. ^ Baizas, Gaby; Macaraeg, Pauline (February 6, 2022). "Quiboloy's SMNI fuels disinformation, online attacks on gov't critics". Rappler.
  13. ^ Ombay, Giselle (June 22, 2023). "YouTube takedown nothing new, says Quiboloy". GMA News Online. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  14. ^ Gonzales, Gelo (July 7, 2023). "YouTube terminates SMNI News, KOJC channels in 'compliance with US sanctions laws'". Rappler. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  15. ^ Mateo, Janvic. "YouTube removes other channels affiliated with Quiboloy". Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  16. ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (July 8, 2023). "SMNI News channel back on YouTube". The Manila Times. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  17. ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (July 11, 2023). "Up again, down again: YouTube drops SMNI news for second time". Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  18. ^ Baizas, Gaby (September 15, 2023). "SMNI News Facebook page disappears". RAPPLER. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Cordero, Ted (May 4, 2022). "Quiboloy's SMNI slapped with admin complaint over Palparan interview". GMA News Online. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Gregorio, Xave (May 4, 2022). "SMNI shutdown sought over Palparan interview, red-tagging". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  21. ^ "Asylum On The Agenda? Execs Of Quiboloy's SMNI Meet With Chinese State-Run Media Officials". Politiko. July 19, 2023.
  22. ^ "Digong pumadrino kay Quiboloy sa China". Abante (in Tagalog). July 19, 2023.
  23. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (28 November 2023). "House to probe SMNI on claim Romualdez spent P1.8B on trips". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  24. ^ Chi, Cristina (1 December 2023). "SMNI flagged for allowing non-KBP accredited broadcasters to go on air". Philstar.com. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  25. ^ Gulla, Vivienne (8 December 2023). "Mga kinulong na SMNI hosts planong iapela ang contempt order". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  26. ^ Tolentino, Reina (5 December 2023). "Lawmaker seeks suspension of SMNI television network". The Manila Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  27. ^ Archangel, Xianne (4 December 2023). "NTC urged to suspend SMNI's operations for alleged franchise violations". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  28. ^ a b c Valmonte, Kaycee (December 19, 2023). "MTRCB suspends SMNI shows of Duterte, Badoy following probe into violations". Rappler. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  29. ^ a b c "MTRCB suspends SMNI shows hosted by ex-Pres. Duterte, Badoy, Celiz". CNN Philippines. December 19, 2023. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  30. ^ Velasco, Raheema (December 6, 2023). "Lawmakers cite SMNI hosts Celiz, Badoy in contempt". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  31. ^ "Detained SMNI anchors Badoy, Celiz go on hunger strike". CNN Philippines. December 7, 2023. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  32. ^ Casilao, Joahna Lei (December 11, 2023). "Badoy, Celiz kin file petition to release SMNI hosts in House detention". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  33. ^ Arcangel, Xianne (December 12, 2023). "Badoy, Celiz walk free from House detention". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  34. ^ Cupin, Bea (December 21, 2023). "Why the NTC suspended SMNI for 30 days". Rappler. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  35. ^ "NTC orders halt of SMNI operations anew for defying 30-day suspension". CNN Philippines. January 23, 2024. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024.
  36. ^ Gulla, Viviene (January 23, 2024). "NTC orders SMNI to cease and desist operations pending final resolution of case". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.
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