in News & Culture, Social Media, Television

Jay Sonza, SMNI raised online users’ brows over self-proclaimed credibility

SMNI News Channel recently quoted Sonza after he praised the debate. The broadcaster described it as ‘professionally done. 

0 Votes

Netizens raised their brows over Jay Sonza’s over-the-top commendation of the recently-concluded SMNI Presidential Debate.

Sonza seems never to get tired of being at the center of controversy, as he once again caught the attention of netizens, who this time labeled him as ‘delusional’. The former broadcaster, known recently for spreading fake news, stirred the social media a few days ago when he talked about the ‘success’ of the SMNI Presidential Debate.

Sonshine Media Network International, a company (owned by the controversial church leader, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy), organized the event. Recently, the Pastor made it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Most Wanted list over sex, labor, and human trafficking charges.

SMNI News Channel recently quoted Sonza after he praised the debate. The broadcaster described it as ‘professionally done. 

“For us, industry people, it takes about 5-10 years to establish the credibility of a network, but you did it overnight,” Sonza said.

On the SMNI Nightline News, Sonza even made it to the headlines where he was quoted saying “ibang network, problema kung paano mapapantayan ang presidential debate ng SMNI”

Both these statements didn’t sit very well with netizens, with many of them calling the claim ‘delusional’. 

For user @fynrsio, the network was self-proclaiming; she said, “ha? i kennat ang taas-taas ng tingin sa sarili self-support yarn???”

User @ntnmts likened SMNI to the American broadcaster, Fox News, which was known in the US for being a pro-Trump network. “again, f0x n3ws behavior. delusional gworls” his tweet reads.

https://twitter.com/ntnmts/status/1494876308278419459

“Lmao SMNI is not really a news org but a fucking mouthpiece of their pedophile overlord” said user @koyapres, who brought up Quiboloy’s sex trafficking issue.

Another user, @Monchkinsss noted how extravagantly talking about their own achievements the network was. “They are really out there tootin’ their own horn ano lol.” he said.

Talent manager and comedian, Ogie Diaz, similarly took a swipe at Sonza. “Sana makausap din niya ang bbc news kung paano naman nila itinayo ang credibility nila” he suggested, drawing an allusion to the trailer released by the network where it claimed that it “…has a strong stand on what’s right. We will not betray the People. And we will not be exchanged for anything. Honest and not a thief.”

BBC’s Philippine correspondent Howard Johnson called out the Network for BBC footage used on the said trailer without permission. 

“LOOK: BBC News footage from Scarborough Shoal appeared in an SMNI trailer last night with the words: “[SMNI] has a strong stand on what’s right. We will not betray the People. And we will not be exchanged for anything. Honest and not a thief.” his post reads, which directly contradicts what the trailer claimed.

Johnson said in a Philippine Daily inquirer interview that SMNI approached neither the BBC news team in Manila nor in London for permission to use the footage.

For netizens, SMNI’s claim was ironic, given their alleged stealing of footage from BBC. Twitter user @iammabelle noted “…”…not a THIEF” as the caption in the SMNI trailer where they used the footage of BBC news… isn’t it ironic. Don’t you think..? (a li’l too ironic. Now I really do think) “

With this apparent plagiarism committed by SMNI, netizens are hitting the nail on the head. It is also worth noting that the Presidential Debate Sonza is paying with extravagant praises was stricken with red flags, to begin with. Since Quiboloy is hunted by the FBI; and has already openly endorsed Marcos as his presidential bet that makes SMNI a partisan organization.

The presence of Marcos supporters on the debate’s table of panelists made the event’s credibility utterly questionable. Sonza’s claim that other networks won’t match what SMNI did. It sounds like what a pure partisan would say. 

Well, maybe Sonza’s right. 

Given the international recognition received and the years spent by GMA News, ABS-CBN News, TV5, and other networks he was talking about, they certainly won’t stoop down to their SMNI’s level.

Apollo QuiboloyJay SonzaSMNISMNI News ChannelSMNI Nightline NewsSMNI Presidential Debate

Written by JE C.C.

Jejomar Binay won the 2010 vice-presidency even though he was third in the surveys; can VP Leni Robredo duplicate the victory?

VP Leni Robredo better for PH economic recovery than Bongbong Marcos