SMNI denies violation over ‘fake news’ on Romualdez’s travel expenses

CNN Philippines

Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) denies violating the terms of its franchise when it aired alleged false information on House Speaker Martin Romualdez's travel expenses. During a house inquiry, one of the network's hosts said, the information came from a Senate source.  Senior correspondent AC Nicholls tells us more.  Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/  Follow our social media pages:  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CNNPhilippines • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnnphilippines/ • Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnnphilippines

Transcript

00:00 Officials of Sunshine Media Network International or SMNI defended its right to press freedom

00:05 before the Committee of Legislative Franchises at the House of Representatives.

00:10 The panel is looking into the network's possible liability for allegedly spreading false reports

00:15 about House Speaker Martin Romualdez's foreign trips.

00:19 On SMNI's Laban Kasama Ang Bayan program, a source from Congress supposedly told the

00:24 hosts Romualdez spent over 1.8 billion pesos on foreign trips.

00:45 Suplico also says there was a disclaimer that the views expressed on the program doesn't

00:49 reflect those of the network.

00:51 Members of the Legislative Franchises Committee say SMNI should make sure its shows are not

00:57 used to spread disinformation, as required under the law granting the network its franchise.

01:13 The committee also clarifies, per records, Romualdez only spent around 4 million pesos

01:18 for his foreign trips from January to October.

01:22 SMNI hosts Jeffrey K. Eric Celiz and former Presidential Communications Undersecretary

01:28 and known Duterte defender Lorraine Badoy insist they didn't report the information

01:33 as factual.

01:34 Celiz says he got a text about Romualdez's travel expenses while they were interviewing

01:40 former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission head Greco Belgica.

01:59 And so they ask him if he has the same information.

02:02 Quezon Representative David Suarez pounded on Celiz to reveal his sources.

02:08 While Celiz refused, it eventually came out one of the sources was from the Senate.

02:38 The Kapisana ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas says SMNI may have violated industry standards

02:44 as Celiz and Badoy are apparently not accredited.

02:47 It adds all anchors and hosts that appear on air of member networks must be accredited.

02:52 SMNI, known for red-tagging government critics, is the same company that aired former President

02:58 Rodrigo Duterte's interview where he attacked members of the House.

03:02 During the hearing, the movement against disinformation also told the panel it has several cases

03:07 against SMNI for violations of the franchise law.

03:12 Legislative Franchises Committee Chair Parañaque City Representative Gus Tambunting says he

03:17 will call for another hearing next week.

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