FOR alleged dissemination of false information, the operation of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) should be suspended.

This is according to PBA Party-list Representative Margarita Nograles as she filed House Resolution 1499.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises has included the resolution to its deliberation.

The SMNI, in one of its shows, reported that the Office of the Speaker had P1.8 billion funds for the travel expenses of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Because of this, Nograles said in her resolution that the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) should suspend the operation of the SMNI which got 25-year franchise under the Swara Sug Media Corp.

Nograles accused SMNI of violating the terms of its congressional franchise under Republic Act 11422.

“Pending the recommendation of the Committee on Legislative Franchises on the alleged violations of SMNI, it is the duty of the National Telecommunications Commission to immediately stop the deliberate dissemination of false information that may generate cynicism and mistrust on matters involving public interest,” the resolution said.

The resolution added that SMNI failed in its responsibility to the public by deliberately disseminating false information, specifically in the case of a claim by an SMNI anchor Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz.

“With the admission that the source of information was wrong and that the information was not vetted, in addition to the various complaints filed against the SMNI for fake news peddling and red-tagging, it is clear that SMNI violated its responsibility to the public not to use its stations or facilities for the deliberate dissemination of false information or willful misrepresentation to the detriment of the public interest,” the HR 1499 said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas