APRUB sa Mababang Kapulungan ng Kongreso ang pagsuspinde ng Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) sa dalawang programa ng Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

“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,” ani House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro.

Noong Lunes ay nagsimula ang 14 days suspension ng “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” nina Lorraine Badoy at Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz at Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” nina dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte at Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

“Upon careful review and consideration of recent events and complaints received by the Board, it was found that certain aspects of the abovementioned programs may have violated the established guidelines and standards set by Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations governing broadcasting content,” ayon sa MTRCB.

Base sa nasabing batas na siyang nagtatag sa MTRCB, maaari nilang suspindehin ang mga programa. Na may ” dangerous tendency to encourage the commission of violence or of a wrong or crime” or “which are libelous or defamatory to the good name and reputation of any person”.

Ayon kay Castro, matagal nang nilalabag ng dalawang nabanggit na programa ang batas at inilalagay ng mga host sa panganib ang buhay ng kanilang mga nire-red-tag at inaakusahan nang walang basehan.

“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 measures,” ayon pa sa mambabatas.

Pansamantalang natigil ang imbestigasyon ng Kamara sa SMNI dahil sa alegasyon ni Celiz na may P1.8 billion travel funds si House Speaker Martin Romualdez habang nakahain na rin ang isang panukala na tuluyang bawiin ang prangkisa ng Swara Sug Media Corporation na ginagamit nito.

(BERNARD TAGUINOD)