FORMER Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has called on media practitioners to stand in solidarity with Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) amid threats to revoke its franchise, which he deems as an attack on press freedom.
This statement comes amid a congressional investigation initiated by the House of Representatives to examine SMNI’s franchise following allegations of disseminating false information about House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
During a media forum in Quezon City on Thursday, Roque stated that, upon reviewing the video clip, SMNI anchor Jeffrey ‘Ka Eric’ Celiz was merely asking Speaker Romualdez if it was true that he had spent P1.8 billion as a travel fund.
The issue of the alleged travel fund amount was the focal point of the congressional investigation on Thursday.
“Given the current threat against SMNI due to alleged fake news, if you look at the clip, he was just asking [House] Speaker Romualdez.”
“If it’s true that he spent P1.8 billion on a travel fund— he’s asking for confirmation from Speaker Romualdez. The fake news would be saying that he spent P1.8 billion,” according to Atty. Harry Roque, Former Presidential Spokesperson.
Congressional probe into SMNI has ‘chilling effect’ on free speech—Atty. Roque
In Roque’s perspective, the potential result of the ongoing probe is not only the actual suppression of free speech but also what he described as a chilling effect on freedom of expression.
“What will be the result of the investigation? This will result in the chilling of the right of freedom of the press, as seen in the case of Chavez versus Gonzales, when former Sec. Gonzales prohibited the airing of the “Hello Garci” tape, which is a form of prior restraint.”
“It’s not just the actual suppression of free speech but also things that could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and freedom of the press,” Atty. Roque added.
Roque further emphasized that the Congress cannot use the threat of revoking a franchise to suppress a media outfit.
“The case of SMNI is different from ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN’s franchise has already expired, and they can’t do anything if Congress refuses to grant them a new one. But when you already have a franchise, and consider the importance of free speech and a free press, Congress cannot use the threat of revoking the franchise to suppress a media outfit.”
“That is prohibited because it is a form of prior restraint or subsequent punishment, which is prohibited by freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” Atty. Roque stated.
To this, Roque is calling on all members of the media to unite and protect press freedom.
“My question is, where are you, our colleagues in the media, in times when there is a threat against the freedom of the press?”
“So I am now appealing to all media practitioners. We need to unite again. During the Maguindanao Massacre, we stood united. During the libel cases filed by former …we stood united,” Atty. Roque added.
Meanwhile, the former Palace official expressed his views on the root cause of the issues, from the alleged issues in SMNI to the House resolution regarding the International Criminal Court’s insistence to probe former President Rodrigo Duterte and the alleged impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Well, I’m saying that everything originates from politics. If you look at the landmark decisions of the Supreme Court in Constitutional Law, they all come from politics.”
“From the time of Tañada versus Angara, the time of Francisco versus the House of Representatives, from the time of Roque versus Arroyo, all of that is politics. We cannot deny that this is just a product of personal issues on the side of Speaker Romualdez and VP Sara Duterte; that’s why this is happening,” Roque added.
On the other hand, Roque stressed the victory of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Sara Duterte as President and Vice President was the result of unity.
“Because of unity, we have the strength to face all challenges. I hope that everyone who supports Uniteam, including Speaker Romualdez, does not become an instrument of division,” Roque said.
