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NTC issues 30-day suspension order vs SMNI

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ABS-CBN News

<p><strong>(UPDATED) </strong>The National Telecommunications Commission has issued a 30-day suspension order against Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) based on a House of Representatives resolution accusing SMNI of franchise violations. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2898665" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>In a press statement, NTC said it has issued a show cause order with 30-day suspension order dated 19 December 2023 against Swara Sug Media Corporation (Swara Sug) with business/trade name Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).</p><p>The NTC directed Swara Sug to explain in writing within 15 days from receipt thereof &quot;why it should not be administratively sanctioned for alleged violation of the condition of its authorities to comply with all the laws, rules and regulations of the land.&quot;</p><p>The SMNI suspension comes after the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board issued a 14-day preventive suspension on two SMNI shows after a review and investigation into alleged violations in their content.</p><p>In a release, MTRCB said the shows &quot;Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa&quot; and &quot;Laban Kasama ang Bayan&quot; were suspended effective December 18 &quot;to prevent further violations or protect the interest and welfare of the public.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/19/23/mtrcb-orders-preventive-suspension-of-2-smni-shows">MTRCB orders 14-day preventive suspension of 2 SMNI shows</a></li></ul><p>In its press statement, the NTC acknowledged the House of Representatives&#x27; declaration in Resolution No. 189 that Swara Sug violated at least three specific provisions of its legislative franchise.</p><p>The NTC was one of the invited agencies and participated as resource person/agency in three committee hearings conducted by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Legislative Franchises, which led to the issuance of Resolution No. 189.</p><p>The administrative hearing by the NTC following the issuance of said Order will be on 04 January 2024.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/13/23/house-panel-to-tackle-bill-seeking-to-revoke-smni-franchise-in-january">House panel to tackle bill seeking to revoke SMNI franchise in January</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2901251" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel earlier said the Committee on Legislative Franchises has so far found that SMNI violated Sections 4, 10, 11 and 12 of their franchise. </p><p>He said SMNI changed ownership without congressional consent, which is a violation of Section 10 that renders the franchise automatically revoked.</p><p>He said Section 11 was violated because SMNI failed to sell 30% of its stocks to the public.</p><p>Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos questioned the suspension.<br/> <br/>The senator claimed the suspension aimed at silencing SMNI from telling the truth.</p><p>&quot;Who&#x27;s afraid of SMNI? Which media entities will remain to uphold the freedom of the press, speech, and thought?&quot; she asked in a statement.<br/> <br/>&quot;Why must we shut down all those who do not agree with us, not even allowing the chance to explain first? How could the NTC issue a show-cause order but simultaneously hand down a 30-day suspension? Amazing!&quot;<br/> <br/>However, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said that the NTC&#x27;s show cause order and 30-day suspension against SMNI is not an issue of press freedom.</p><p>&quot;As it stands now the SMNI issue is shaping out not to be a press freedom issue as its hosts and &#x27;talents&#x27; want to project. With the recent hearings by the Committee on Legislative Franchise on SMNI, as well as some of the documents that we have seen, it seems that SMNI itself is a threat to press freedom with its advocacy of violence, disinformation (fake news) and intolerance (hate speech),&quot; Castro said in a statement.</p><p>She added that this should be the start of accountability for SMNI.</p><p>&quot;We hope that the measures for accountability of SMNI, its hosts, executives and owners including Pastor Quiboloy himself will continue because they have abused the network as an anti-people tool and mouthpiece of the Dutertes and the NTF-ELCAC,&quot; Castro said. <strong>- with a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2893685" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The National Telecommunications Commission has issued a 30-day suspension order against Sonshine Media Network International based on a House of Representatives resolution accusing SMNI of franchise violations. 