Dalawang programa ng Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) ang pinatawan ng Movie and Television Review and Classification (MTRCB) ng 14 na araw na suspensiyon simula Dis. 18.

Pansamantalang itinigil ang “Gikan ng Masa, Para sa Masa” matapos pagbantaan ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte si ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro sa dalawang episode nito na umere noong Oktubre at Nobyembre.

Samantala, sinuspinde rin ang “Laban Kasama ng Bayan” matapos iulat nina Jeffrey Celiz at Lorraine Badoy-Partosa nang walang batayan ang travel expenses ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez na umabot umano sa P1.8 bilyon.

Sinabi ng MTRCB na nakatanggap sila ng mga reklamo sa pagpapalabas ng dalawang programa ng hindi beripikadong impormasyon.

Kasabay nito, mayroon ding mga content patungkol sa “death threats” at “foul language” na labag sa mga alituntunin at pamantayan ng MTRCB.

“Upon careful review and consideration of recent events and complaints received by the Board, it has come to the Board’s attention that certain aspects of the program may be in violation of established guidelines and standards set by Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations governing broadcasting content,” ayon sa atas ng MTRCB.

“To prevent the possible repetition of these alleged infractions which may pose negative impact on public welfare, ethical considerations, and the overall reputation of the broadcasting industry, the Board determines the need to preventively suspend the subject program by virtue of Section 3, Chapter XIII of the Implementing Rules and Regulations,” dagdag nito.

‘Long overdue’

Ikinatuwa naman ni Castro ang ipinataw na suspensiyon sa programa ni Duterte.

“This suspension is long overdue but at last now something has been done to curtail the constant red-tagging, spreading of disinformation (fake news) and threatening of individuals using these two shows as well as the network,” sabi ni Castro sa isang pahayag.

“Hopefully this marks the start of SMNI and the people behind it being made accountable. The authorities should look into the pattern and consistent red-tagging, terrorist-labelling for longer and more decisive measure,” dagdag ni Castro.

‘Hate speech is not justifiable’

Sa isang hiwalay na pahayag, sinabi ng National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) na hindi katanggap-tanggap ang pagpapakalat ng mga akusasyong walang batayan.

“While we are wary of government censorship, we note that the network was given due process on its potential violations, due process that was not given to the individuals and organizations that Badoy-Partosa and Celiz brazenly defamed on their show,” ayon sa NUJP.

“Freedom and expression and the freedom of the press are not blanket justification for hate speech, vilification and threats,” dagdag nito.

Samantala, inihain ni PBA Partylist Rep. Migs Nograles ang House Resolution 1499, na nananawagan sa National Telecommunications Commission na suspendihin ang SMNI dahil sa mga paglabag nito.

Isang hiwalay na panukala rin ang inihain na naglalayong bawiin ang prangkisa ng naturang network.

Nahaharap din sa iba’t ibang reklamo sa korte sina Duterte, Celiz at Badoy-Partosa kaugnay ng kanilang mga paninira at pagbabanta sa telebisyon sa iba’t ibang indibidwal at organisasyon.