SMNI anchors, reporters seek SC help vs NTC temporary shutdown order

SMNI anchors and reporters along with lawyer Harry Roque filed petitions for TRO and injunction at the Supreme Court against the cease and desist order of the NTC, which forced the network to suspend its operations. Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — Anchors and reporters of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) filed petitions for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and injunction before the Supreme Court (SC) against the cease and desist order that caused the suspension of the network's operations. 

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued the order this month after it received reports that SMNI defied an earlier 30-day suspension order, which stemmed from a House of Representatives resolution that found the broadcast network had violated provisions of its franchise.

NTC orders SMNI to cease and desist operations pending final resolution of case

“Ito pong petisyong ito ay sa ngalan ng mga anchors, mga TV hosts, mga mamamahayag at para itaguyod po ang karapatan ng lahat ng mga kasama namin dito sa media at yung karapatan ng malayang pananalita ng lahat ng mamayang Pilipino,” said lawyer Harry Roque.

In the petition, they reiterated that the NTC has no power to revoke the right of a holder of a legislative franchise to operate its broadcast stations.

The petitioners also asserted that the NTC violated their right to freedom of expression and of the press.

“The inescapable conclusion is that the suspension of SMNI’s operations serves as both subsequent punishment for statements that were previously made in TV programs such as Laban Kasama Ang Bayan hosted by Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey Celiz, who were both detained at the Batasan Complex for more than one week for their statements; and prior restraint for programs such as Pulso ng Bayan hosted by petitioner Roque and the other news and current affairs programs hosted by the rest of the petitioners,” they said.

Anchor and reporter Jade Calabroso said the NTC order caused anxiety to the employees and their families.

“Lahat po ng naniniwala, lahat po ng supporters, lahat po ng nanonood sa ating istasyon, sila po lahat ay umaasa na sila ay maibalik na yung operasyon namin na magkaroon nga ng indefinite suspension dahil nga sa utos ng NTC,” Calabroso said.

Anchor Franco Baranda said they would continue doing their jobs as journalists despite the NTC order.

“Kami po ay hindi hihinto kahit na itong indefinite suspension ay simula lang po ito ng aming paglalabas pa ng katotohanan,” Baranda said.

Anchor Jayson Rubrico said their case should serve as warning for other media entities, arguing that if it happened to a network that "supports" the administration, it could happen to others as well. 

"Kung sa amin nga po ay nangyari ito sa amin na sumusuporta sa gobyerno, paano na lang po sa inyo na alternative media, ano na lang po ang mangyayari sa inyo, sa mga hindi sumusuporta sa gobyerno, sa mga hindi sumusuporta sa Pangulo?” Rubrico said.