SMNI News Channel
SMNI News Channel (also called SNC and stylized as SMNI NEWS CHANNEL) known on-air as SMNI News, is a Philippine[1][2] religious free-to-air news and public service television network based in Makati City. It is owned and operated by Swara Sug Media Corporation, the parent company of Sonshine Media Network International, a broadcasting arm of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) led by Filipino televangelist and religious leader, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy.[3][4]
Type | Broadcast digital free-to-air television network |
---|---|
Country | Philippines |
Headquarters |
|
Programming | |
Language(s) | Filipino (main) English (secondary) |
Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) (downscaled to 16:9 480i for the SDTV feed) |
Ownership | |
Owner | Sonshine Media Network International (Swara Sug Media Corporation) |
Key people | Marlon Rosete (President and CEO) Ingrid Canada Tessie Dandan (Vice President) |
Sister channels | SMNI |
History | |
Launched | May 24, 2016 |
Founder | Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy (Honorary Chairman) |
Replaced | TeleRadyo (UHF 43 channel space, digital) |
Links | |
Website | smninewschannel |
Availability | |
Terrestrial | |
Metro Manila | Channel 39.1 (Digital) Channel 162 (Sky Cable) |
Nationwide | Channel 186 (Cignal TV) Channel 40 (G-Sat) |
It airs national and international newscasts and talk shows, rolling news coverage from correspondents and reporters of SMNI Manila and other news bureaus in the Philippines and in more than 40 countries around the world, entertainment programs and cult-related programs.[5]
It is exclusively aired over Digital terrestrial television on UHF Channels 39 and 43 in Metro Manila, and UHF Channel 19 in Davao Central and through more than 500 cable & satellite affiliates nationwide, selected programs simulcasting live via Facebook page, as well as on the main SMNI channel via analog and digital TV.[5]
Programming
News
- Balita ng Bansa (2020)
- SMNI Newsblast (2016)
- EdiTOLrial with Sen. Francis Tolentino
- SMNI Newsbreak
- SMNI Nightline News (2021)
- Newsline World
- Weekender World
Public affairs and commentary
- 3PM: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao Pilipinas Muna! (2023)
- Business and Politics with Dante "Klink" Ang II (2022)
- Dito sa Bayan ni Juan (2021)
- Gikan sa Masa Para Sa Masa (2023)[6]
- Laban Kasama Ang Bayan (2021)
- Maki-Alam (2022)
- Pinoy Legal Minds (2022)
- Pulso ng Bayan (2022)
- Statecraft with Sass Rogando-Sasot (2021)
- SMNI Special Reports
- The Deep Probe (2023)
Public service
- Kabayan Abroad (2020)
- OFW, Ikaw ang Bida! (2023)
- Problema N'yo Itawag kay Panelo (2022)
- SMNI Exclusive (2022)
Health and Infotainment Environment Edutainment
- Eco Hour
- Healthy Chat @ Sonshine
- Ito ang Buhay (This is Life)
- Mga Doktor ng Bayan (2022)
- Pa-Talk (2022)
- SMNI Entrepinoy Revolution (2022)
Kingdom-related
- ACQ Classic
- Give Us This Day
- Powerline
- Quiet Moments
- Sounds of Worship
- Gospel of the Kingdom
- SPOTLIGHT Live! Worldwide
Documentary
- A New Me Story of Hope and Victory
- Caravan of Love
Drama
- Makitang Muli (Tagalog dub of 2011 Chinese drama Family Reunion; produced by Regent Foods Corporation, 2023)
* - denotes that this program is also simulcast on its main DTV channel, SMNI and Radio station DZAR 1026.
News
- SMNI Morning Headlines
- SMNI Newsline
- SMNI Newsline Philippines (2006-2016)
Current affairs and commentary
- Point of Order (2021–2022)
- Usaping Bayan (2016–2022)
- Thinking Pinoy on SMNI (2020–2021)
- Build PH (2023)
- OFW Helpline (2023)
Infotainment
- Amplify Your Life
Drama
- Papa, Nasa'n Ka? (2023) (Tagalog dub of 2011 Chinese drama Horizon True Heart; produced by Regent Foods Corporation, 2023)
Cartoon
- Kingdom Force (2022-2023)
Kingdom-related
- Generation K
Specials
- Election Watch 2018: The SMNI News Special Coverage
- SMNI Presidential Debates 2022
- SMNI Senatorial Debates 2022
- On the Road with the Frontrunner (multi-platform coverage of UniTeam campaign rallies)
- The Deep Probe: The SMNI Presidential Candidates Interview
- Election Watch 2019: The SMNI News Special Coverage
- Election Watch 2022: The SMNI News Special Coverage
Subchannels
Channel | Video | Aspect | Short name | Programming | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
39.01 | 480i | 16:9 | SMNI News Channel | SMNI News Channel | Test Broadcast |
39.02 | 16:9/4:3 | SMNI | SMNI | ||
39.03 | 16:9 | SMNI Radio | DZAR |
Notable broadcasters and anchors
Current anchors
- Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy
- Rodrigo Duterte – 16th president of the Philippines[6]
- Dante "Klink" Ang II – president and CEO of The Manila Times
- Lorraine Badoy – former NTF-ELCAC spokesperson
- Juan Ponce Enrile – Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
- Jesus "Mang Jess" Arranza – Federation of Philippine Industries chairman
- Jeffrey Celis (Ka Eric) – former New People's Army (NPA) cadre
- Sass Rogando-Sasot – foreign relations expert
- Franco Baranda
- Yna Mortel
- MJ Mondejar
- Admar Vilando
- Dr. Carl Balita
- Troy Gomez
- Jade Calabroso
- Kyle Selva
- Salvador Panelo – former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
- Ron Salo – Kabayan Partylist representative
- Harry Roque – former presidential spokesperson
- Atty. Mark Tolentino
- Dr. Ted Herbosa – Secretary of Health
- Greco Belgica – former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chairman
- Senator Francis Tolentino
- Marissa del Mar-Magsino – OFW Partylist representative
- Peter Serrano - actor and political vlogger
Former anchors
- Michael "Mike" Abe - A news anchor who specifically dealt with the controversy on Vice Ganda's challenge to Quiboloy on possibly shutting down ABS-CBN as the pastor has claimed to have "stopped" the series of earthquakes in Mindanao in 2019.[7][8][9][10] He later departed from SMNI in 2022 after he walked out from hosting his program Usaping Bayan following his on-air argument against Quiboloy over the latter's alleged criticism on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s first State of the Nation Address.[11]
- Mike Defensor
- Rodante Marcoleta
- R. J. Nieto (Thinking Pinoy)
- Antonio Parlade Jr.
- Lucy Torres-Gomez
- Robert Ace Barbers
- Atty. David Castillon
- Atty. Migs Nograles
- Arnell Ignacio
- Anna Mae Lamentillo
Awards and citations
In June 2023, SMNI was recognized as the "Best Preeminent Broadcasting and Media Production Company" (international category) in the 16th Golden Globe Annual Awards for Business and Excellence.[12]
Controversies
Alleged far-right bias, red-tagging
According to a report by Rappler, the network allegedly fuels disinformation, misleading claims and propaganda to attack journalists and critics of the Duterte administration.[13] It also has been accused of being a far-right channel in the Philippines.[1][2]
On July 7, 2023, YouTube terminated the channels of SMNI and one of its programs, Laban Kasama ang Bayan (translated from Tagalog: Fight with the People), along with KJC, following a previous ban on Quiboloy's YouTube channel which was terminated on June 21. Google later stated that their actions were in compliance with existing sanctions by the United States against Quiboloy pursuant to the US Global Magnitsky Act as well as allegations of red-tagging misinformation; Quiboloy was previously indicted by the United States Department of Justice on charges of human trafficking and child sexual abuse.[14][15]
Quiboloy and SMNI later created accounts on the alt-tech video service Rumble[16] as well as an alternate account for SMNI on YouTube in defiance of sanctions;[17] the latter account was suspended by YouTube a few days later.[18] On September 15, 2023, the SMNI News Facebook page was deleted, in accordance to Meta's Dangerous Organizations and Individuals Policy. [19]
Administrative complaint
SMNI is facing an administrative complaint filed in May 2022 before the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Concepcion Empeño and Erlinda Cadapan, the mothers of disappeared students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, and left-wing human rights group Karapatan petitioned the NTC to revoke Swara Sug Media Corporation's franchise, for airing on SMNI an interview with convicted kidnapper and retired Army General Jovito Palparan.[20] The complainants said in a statement that the broadcast propagated disinformation in violation of Republic Act No. 11422 and the 2007 Broadcast Code of the Philippines.[20][21] Palparan and program host Lorraine Badoy also red-tagged former vice president and then-presidential candidate Leni Robredo during the broadcast, which the complainants alleged were in violation of Commission on Elections' Resolution No. 10730 involving truth in advertising and fair and accurate reporting.[21]
References
- "Philippines". Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- Chi, Cristina. "Digital News Report: Filipinos more 'cautious' of expressing political views". Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- "SMNI News Sonshine Media Network International". SMNI News. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- "Apollo Carreon Quiboloy". FBI Most Wanted. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
- "SMNI News Sonshine Media Network International". SMNI News. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- Llemit, Ralph Lawrence G. (January 14, 2023). "Ex-Pres. Duterte's 'Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa' returns". SunStar. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- "Mike Abe on PEP.ph". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- Navalta, Daniel Joseph (November 7, 2019). "Broadcaster Mike Abe lambasts Vice Ganda for making fun of Pastor Quiboloy". Kami.com.ph - Philippines news. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- "Challenge Accepted: Pastor Quiboloy takes comedian's dare to end EDSA traffic, long-running TV show – kind of". Coconuts Manila. November 8, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- "Vice Ganda, sinermunan ni Pastor Apollo Quiboloy". Radio Mindanao Network. May 25, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- "Napuno na! Broadcaster walks out on air after Quiboloy takes jab at Marcos' SONA". Politiko. July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- Montibon, Pol (June 5, 2023). "SMNI, muling tumanggap ng pagkilala mula sa Golden Globe Awards 2023". DZAR 1026 Sonshine Radio (in Filipino). Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- Baizas, Gaby; Macaraeg, Pauline (February 6, 2022). "Quiboloy's SMNI fuels disinformation, online attacks on gov't critics". Rappler.
- Ombay, Giselle (June 22, 2023). "YouTube takedown nothing new, says Quiboloy". GMA News Online. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
- Gonzales, Gelo (July 7, 2023). "YouTube terminates SMNI News, KOJC channels in 'compliance with US sanctions laws'". Rappler. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
- Mateo, Janvic. "YouTube removes other channels affiliated with Quiboloy". Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- Cua, Aric John Sy (July 8, 2023). "SMNI News channel back on YouTube". The Manila Times. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- Cua, Aric John Sy (July 11, 2023). "Up again, down again: YouTube drops SMNI news for second time". Retrieved July 11, 2023.
- Baizas, Gaby (September 15, 2023). "SMNI News Facebook page disappears". RAPPLER. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- Cordero, Ted (May 4, 2022). "Quiboloy's SMNI slapped with admin complaint over Palparan interview". GMA News Online. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
- Gregorio, Xave (May 4, 2022). "SMNI shutdown sought over Palparan interview, red-tagging". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 19, 2022.