Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla has submitted a resolution requesting a Senate investigation into suspected press freedom violations in the indefinite suspension of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), which was ordered to go off-air last December.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) suspended the SMNI indefinitely last January due to reports that the said company violated the 30-day suspension ordered by the House of Representatives due to its franchise violation.
Padilla, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, condemned the suspension of SMNI operations as unfounded and a violation of press freedom.
He also stated that the NTC resolution fails to clarify the cause of the suspension while expressing that it “is necessary to avoid serious and irreparable damage or inconvenience to the public or private interests.” He also emphasized that Filipinos have the freedom to know the correct information and should “not be duly curtailed.”
